Vanderboom

Same here. The Grover's Schooling subplot is really weak to begin with, and adding laundered money to it makes it even more tedious. Like you, I'm hoping there will be an interesting payoff.

I don't, either. I just wish Ashley put as much effort into her on-screen presence as she does chasing down rumors about her cast mates. Remember way back in season 2 or 3, when Ashley got into it with Robyn over what "the streets" were saying about the Dixons? IIRC, that information was true, too, but why is it that Ashley always just happens to be the one to hear about it?

I don't know if she paid TJ to be her boyfriend or not, but Stacy continues her Improbable Naivety Streak. Remember how she didn't want to formalize child support during her divorce? Now we have TJ who either 1) tried to humiliate Stacy by falsely claiming she paid him to be her boyfriend and is behind on her payments or 2) did a terrible job as an actor because he couldn't even pretend to be a good best friend and love interest. Neither situation looks good for Stacy. If it's Situation #2, then I don't blame Stacy for not paying him fully. You had one job, Teej. Mia, consider the age-old question: if a Housewife storms off a reunion and nobody cares, was it worth embarrassing your children, husband, and boyfriend? Ashley can rival Atlanta's Mama Joyce with all the gossip she hears from the streets. 🙄 Some guy on the train happened to have a story about Karen getting drunk? Yes, Karen has a drinking problem, but Ashley always seems to have a story about someone telling her intimate details about the other housewives.

That or, "I'mma be honest with you . . ." *sarcastic gasp* You weren't blown away by the brilliant cover story about his cousin texting him a plate of food? I'm willing to donate to a fund that will pay Camille to never say the word "swag" again, but in general, I agree that production is trying to make this happen to increase suspense.

It's been a while since I've watched the Original Recipe 90 Day Fiance, so all these couples are new to me. I don't know who to fast-forward through yet. I get the feeling it will be the throuple and Jessica/Juan. Looks like even the editors are rolling their eyes at the throuple. Amani's talking head: "There's a lot of stigma around a throuple. It's very sexualized . . ." shows up in the middle of the least sexy doctor porn FaceTime call. Matt's facial expression seems to be stuck on "sheepish". Jessica and Juan seems like a repeat of Molly/Luis, except that the youngest child is his. I hope (but I doubt) that their conversations talked about what Juan will actually do when he arrives. Any one of his transitions -- changing countries, moving from urban to rural surroundings, becoming a parent, becoming a stepparent, getting married, being surrounded by cow poop-- can be stress inducing. Having all of them stacked together seems like a recipe for disaster, so . . . typical 90 Day Trainwreck.

Michelle's "gut suspicion" is probably producer intervention, right? Like the "caught cheating" question during the game. I'm annoyed that she dragged Allen into it by grilling him about Madison. Does it suck that David and Madison aren't telling the truth? Yes, but Michelle shouldn't accuse people of lying just because they don't respond to her statements the way she expects them to. Finally, a faint glimmer of chemistry between Karla and Juan. Any minute now, they'll give in to their passion and exchange a light peck on the cheek. And who let Juan bring a guitar?

I don't think Emem actually wants the marriage at this point; she's just denying him ammunition. Emem realizes that if she at least says the right things, she 1) saves some face so that no one (like Ikechi) can claim she wasn't in it for the right reasons and 2) annoys Ikechi far more because he ends up looking like a fool and the bad guy. As Blu Cantrell sang, it's a shame we have to play these games. But this guy was never about the partnership, just the television exposure.

Gregory and I said "No!" at the same time when Janine thought of taking the party bus. They were cute playing garbage can basketball at the end of the episode, though. "That's not a grown up!" had me cackling. This show is so good with the random moments of hilarity.

I actually laughed at Brittani's "confession." It's so on-brand for her to have the lamest mean text. This is the same person who brought multiple gatherings to a standstill with announcements of things no one cares about. What could she possibly contribute to the reunion? "I want everyone to know that . . . we're all wearing shades of red today and I'm pretty sure no one here knows how to spell my name."

Man, I'm so floored by Stacy's lack of life skills, but I'm glad her lawyer was both straightforward and tactful about Stacy's expectations for child support. No matter how amicable the divorce, you need to get financial arrangements set down in writing. How old is she? Wasn't there a story about how Mia was in a stronger financial situation when she met Gordon "because of an inheritance"? 🙄

Karla's business plan: Why is the show trying to make Ikechi and Emem happen as a couple? He's a perpetual child. Why should she settle for someone toxic just for the sake of the show? It's not even entertaining in a train-wreck sort of way.

Maybe it's my tiny screen, but aren't they very similar bridesmaid-y dresses? Nothing against bridesmaid-y dresses; after all, I like Meredith's dress (without the jacket) the best.

I wonder if it's producer shenanigans. In an earlier season, the show tried to make a Thing out of Austin not telling Jessica that he loved her, and they were--and are still-- one of the only MAFS couples to last. It's not that I have so much faith in Camille and Tom as a couple, but this conflict might be a little contrived. We already know that the producers are NOT interested in creating comfortable couples that work; that's why Ikechi is the latest in a long line of dysfunctional-at-life MAFS cast members.

Maybe we haven't seen the whole story, but it seems as if Ikechi and Emem got through their honeymoon okay, but once he saw her lovely apartment, he flipped the passive-aggressive switch on and never looked back. Look at how he spent their anniversary picnic giving stank-face to everything. And even his compliments sounded sarcastic: "This is well put together, well thought out." What does that even mean? Then Ikechi goes Full Asshole. Emem can grate, and I could see how her questioning might feel exhausting, (even though I would have the same follow-up questions) but she doesn't deserve Ikechi's bad faith drama and posturing. She also doesn't deserve to be humiliated in front of others. I feel like Juan would be better as Karla's life coach than her husband. They're proof that being attractive is just part of feeling a romantic connection. Had to laugh at the producer asking Karla to describe Juan's business. That was Karla's most likeable moment this season: ”He has his laptop . . . he types like Thriller . . . skateboards . . . so many strengths!” Unfortunately, it was immediately followed by the can't-be-managed nonsense. Karla needs a reality check.

Brittani's "confession" -- even with the Mormon context -- was so . . . unnecessary. I hope she's a one and done.