RECAP: Real Housewives of Atlanta “Trouble on the Family Tree” [Season 8, Episode 10]

We are halfway through the season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Kandi and Mama Joyce are crib shopping. All is right between Mama Joyce and Todd – for now – and she plans to help out with the baby, provided she is a granny with a nanny. Mama Joyce asks Kandi what happened between her and Phaedra. When she hears they still ain’t on the same page, Mama Joyce offers her meddling services. Kandi declines, but we all know Mama Joyce won’t let that stop her.

Kenya is in Detroit with her Aunt Lori and assistant Brandon so they can attend her family reunion. If you are following the Kenya family tree, Aunt Lori is Kenya’s birth mom’s little sister and Kenya was raised by her father’s mom. Kenya is feeling anxious. She wants to resolve the unresolved issues with her birth mom, and wants to invite her to the reunion, but doesn’t have her address. Aunt Lori has it, but won’t give it to her because she doesn’t want to get in the middle. To change the subject, Brandon asks about Kenya’s past boyfriends and she takes the opportunity to call out the bastard tow-truck driver, Walter.

Back in the ATL, we are in Cynthia’s closet with her daughter, Noelle. Peter is surprising Cynthia with a trip somewhere. Her instructions are to pack, meet him at the airport and be ready for a good time. What does that mean? Vegas? New Orleans? Obviously not Miami, but does she need a passport? Help a sister out. Mother and daughter have a heart to heart about she and Peter trying to save their marriage. Noelle says she is a one-and-done type of girl. It’s always touching when we watch mother/daughter role-reversal scenes with these Real Housewives. The “happy” couple go to Mexico never to be heard from again – this episode.

Porsha is working out – sort of – with her trainer to trim her cornbread-donkey ass. Lauren shows up after being summoned by her boss. It’s time for a come-to-Jesus meeting about how to run Porsha’s bidness. Turns out a package was missed, and lawdy, lawdy, that can’t happen. Lauren plays the pregnancy card and says she’s sick and tired…of flying coach. Porsha, Porsha, Porsha – is not a selfish person, y’all, but let’s get real, it’s all about her, ya’ll. Besides, it’s not like Lauren is the first pregnant person who ever had to work. They were doing this way back while riding the underground railroad.

Over at Phae-Phae’s office she receives a surprise visit from Mama Bear Joyce. Last time she visited she threatened to ring Phaedra’s neck for introducing Kandi and Todd. Wasting no time, Mama Joyce reminds Phaedra that Kandi is experiencing a high risk pregnancy and does not need her drama. Phaedra explains it was just a disagreement and they’ve worked it out. Devising a better plan, Mama Joyce shirks her baby-shower planning responsibilities onto Phaedra. Phaedra will happily take over and immediately thinks of an animal theme for the “Coming to Atlanta” party. Never mind some animals are known to eat their young.

Over at Lauren’s house, Porsha stops by for part two of the come-to-Jesus meeting since the first one didn’t go so well. Porsha brings store bought flowers for her sister, but has nothing but disdain for her employee. Lauren is slacking and it has nothing to do with the fact that Porsha is green with envy she’s not the one who is knocked up. But don’t worry about her. Porsha is living the good life. So what if she’s eating for two even though she’s not pregnant. She is living her dream, except for that baby making part of the dream. Other than that, her life is perfect. Really, it is. Really. The sisters hug it out after Porsha devours the apples and caramel.

Kenya and her family get in the van and head to the reunion. Her dad, Ronald and Kenya’s stepmother have come in from Houston to attend. Aunt Lori is not in the van and will meet them there. Ronald says, back in the day, Kenya’s paternal G-Ma who raised her, treated him well. However, her maternal G-Pa ignored him because he didn’t want anymore illegal and illegitimate kids running around. Ronald recommends that Kenya to let go of her mother, but Kenya needs to reach out one more time. She instructs the driver to turn right. Apparently Kenya now has the address.

The van pulls up to a house, though we never get a good look at it. It’s Kenya’s request that no one follows her as she knocks on her mother’s front door. We hear Kenya ask that the door be opened, then we hear a click of the lock, but it’s not to open the door, it’s to secure the door.

I don’t know about Kenya, but I was really disappointed when this woman didn’t open the door. She could have made the ultimate “Gone With the Wind” entrance and twirled her way onto the van, but she chose to hide behind her door and say, “Don’t open the door,” to whoever is with her. Ronald gets out of the van and brings a strong, but somber Kenya back on board. Kenya vows this will be the last time she reaches out to her mother.

Over at Todd’s office, Phaedra shows up to see the workout video. She is so amazed at herself, and just 12-hours after they filmed, she gave birth. Then, in a talking head, Shady Phaedra says this must be Todd’s only job, and chile, she’s got plenty of jobs. Back to talking about giving birth, Todd is not exactly excited about being in the delivery room for Kandi’s C-section. He hopes he won’t be able to see anything. Phaedra confirms his worst fears about how difficult it is to bring life into the world. Todd looks like a man who just might need to take a phone call during the delivery.

Back in Detroit, the van pulls up to Kenya’s aunt’s house for the reunion. Lots of family are there. Kenya hands out pink and white tee-shirts marking the occasion. Ronald says a nice prayer thanking Jesus for allowing them to be a great family. When Kenya thanks everyone for coming, she realizes her Aunt Lori isn’t there. Apparently, Lori was there for ten minutes, received a phone, and left. Normally Aunt Lori is the voice of reason but not on this issue. 

Lisa, a family friend of Kenya’s asks her to step outside to explain that whoever the phone call was from, Lori left upset. Kenya says she’s over this, but I’m not. Why did Lori come to Detroit if she wasn’t going to participate? If anything, this solidifies Kenya’s appreciation for her father and his side of they family – they showed up!

Tune in next week when Porsha goes to the Million Man March in DC to find a man and the return of NeNe Leakes.

 

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