After a shaky first episode, things quickly click into place and each member of the First Wives Club is bringing it.
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After a shaky first episode, things quickly click into place and each member of the First Wives Club is bringing it.
| Network | ||
| BET+ | ||
| Director(s) | Anu Valia | |
| Writer(s) | Tracy Oliver | |
| Air Date | 9/19/2019 | |
| Introduced This Episode | ||
| Rosalyn | Carly Pope | |
| Dr. Odessa | Marcella Lowery | |
| Janine | Shana Solomon | |
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Recap (with Commentary & Spoilers)
Apparently, PTA Stands For “Penis That’s Available”: Bree, Gary, Dr. Odessa, Janine
While Bree isn’t fond of the idea, for the science behind it is lacking to her, she goes to couples therapy with Gary, and though she feels like Dr. Odessa isn’t listening to her, she participates. Mind you, by reminding the doctor that, despite any issues in their relationship, it doesn’t condone his cheating, but she gets it. She was distant, focused more on being a provider than a partner, so Bree tries to change.
Leading her to go to a PTA meeting which leads her to meet Janine – the person Gary cheated on her with. Which causes Bree to flip a student’s desk and want to fight. But, in the end, she just tells Gary she wants a divorce.
Commentary
From trying to get a Plan B pill to the divorce, I think the issue with episode one is that they just neglected Bree. We didn’t find out she was a surgeon till this episode and I think with the original First Wives Club making all the men terrible people, and Bree’s husband seems like the type who slipped up, albeit into someone’s vagina, it made it harder to click with her.
Yet, with learning how hard she works, and him taking advantage of that by scoping the PTA meetings for lonely mothers, he is now trash. The kind that makes you glad Bree reminds him, at every opportunity, he cheated, and that he can play this nice guy routine all he wants, he still is a f*** boy.
But, let’s set aside Gary for a moment and recognize how the roles of a husband and wife were, partially flipped. Specifically Bree being noted as a good provider, but not necessarily trying to be super mom. You have to love that since the idea of being the mother who can do everything is toxic and sets unrealistic standards. The kind which causes immense guilt that doesn’t just live in the parent, but is passed down to the child. Well, if the child is aware of their parent’s situation anyway.
So it should be interesting to explore how Bree handles trying to co-parent with Gary since, unlike the movie version, her kids are kids. They aren’t teens or even close to adults. Between soccer, and so much more, they need someone who has the flexibility Gary has, since he is a teacher.
A Rock & A Wad Of Cash: David, Ari, Derek, Hazel, Rosalyn
Being that David is a ho for money, even with Derek and Hazel’s situation being toxic, he still puts his wife in the awful position of knowing Derek is financing his campaign. But, luckily, Ari doesn’t keep that hidden but fesses up quick. But, that doesn’t help with the issue of Hazel lacking cash, being kicked out of the penthouse, and slowly being blackballed from performing.
Hence why Ari tries to meet with Derek, perhaps settle on an arrangement, but that doesn’t happen. In fact, Derek brings to dinner an old rival in Rosalyn, and when Hazel shows up at the dinner too, oh Ari shows why and how she and Hazel are friends. For don’t get it twisted, Ari can do that Michelle Obama, “When they go low, we go high” but she can just as well do, “When they go low, it only makes it easier to knee them in the face.” Hence her going off, in the most spectacular way.
Commentary
Is it wrong that my interest in Ari, as a character, didn’t begin until “Old Ari” came out? For there was just something about her being put together, even if she was lying about her marriage, which made her seem like the liability. Yet, her in lawyer mode, using SAT words while cursing someone out? I had my hand to my heart for it was unexpected, but what I needed in my life.
But, think about it, as much as the “New Ari” would have been a grounding force, the “Quiet One” compared to Bree and Hazel, there is a reason most shows don’t put that person front and center. Heck, why they usually relegate them to movies, supporting roles, or just don’t write them at all. Though, I must admit I still feel a bit shameful that I needed Ari to act like a reality TV star to find something interesting about her. Even if her code-switching can be seen as Ari having layers and being a complex individual who knows when and who to bring out that side of herself.
It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay: Ari, Hazel, Bree
In the bar of one of Hazel’s first performances, the ladies decide to get a drink for there is too much going on. Bree may actually file for divorce, Hazel knows she is in for a nasty fight, that Stella’s punk ass will join, and Ari? Oh, while she may not get satisfaction out of her husband, she will get it from fighting for Hazel – Pro Bono.
Commentary
The excitement that was dampened in episode 1, it’s back. Granted, it feels like the kinks are still being worked out with Buteau, but writing for a comedian is much harder than an actor. It’s like the difference between Amy Schumer writing Trainwreck compared to the movies which followed, like Snatched and I Feel Pretty, which she didn’t write. Trying to get not just a feel or vibe, but really harness the best out of that comedian, it takes work. Much less, working around their ability to ad-lib and crack jokes on the fly, but making it so while they bring their charisma, they aren’t just playing themselves.
Which, believe it or not, can be hard. Especially since this is a major opportunity for Buteau and is taking her from being that girl in a handful of funny scenes to someone who has a consistent presence. Add in BET Plus will need loads of content to justify its price tag and she could find herself experiencing the beauty of synergy.
Review Summary
Highlights
- Old School Ari Came Out To Play And Boosted Bathe’s Contribution To The Show
- There Is Something About Any Scene Which Builds Up To Jill Scott Calling Someone A B***h
- Gary Trying To Save His Marriage
- Bree Being Developed And You Seeing More Of Buteau And Her Style
On The Fence
- What’s Stella’s Story? Why Was She Willingly With A Married Man & Is Talking Out The Side Of Her Neck?
- Is It Wrong This Show Only Gets Interesting When People, The Lead Actresses Specifically, Come Out Of Character And Snap-On People?
[ninja_tables id=”39590″]
Old School Ari Came Out To Play And Boosted Bathe’s Contribution To The Show - 90%
There Is Something About Any Scene Which Builds Up To Jill Scott Calling Someone A B***h - 95%
Gary Trying To Save His Marriage - 85%
Bree Being Developed And You Seeing More Of Buteau And Her Style - 84%
What’s Stella’s Story? Why Was She Willingly With A Married Man & Is Talking Out The Side Of Her Neck? - 75%
Is It Wrong This Show Only Gets Interesting When People, The Lead Actresses Specifically, Come Out Of Character And Snap-On People? - 74%
84%
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