RECAP: Real Housewives of Atlanta “NeNe Shades Cynthia & Kenya’s Friendship” [Season 8, Episode 11]

This week, The Real Housewives of Atlanta had a real attempt at a meaningful episode. It was important to see the Million Man March, although we never saw anyone marching. There was a tough conversation between Kenya and her Aunt Lori that made us root for Kenya. And though we knew NeNe was making her grand-dame entrance tonight, it was cool seeing she and Cynthia together. Let’s get this started.

Phaedra has invited Tootie, Sheree and Porsha to Washington D.C. for the Million Man March to meet with big and powerful politicians. Phaedra probably fancies herself a politician, if only she didn’t have a husband in jail. Speaking of her husband in jail, Phaedra receives a collect call from Apollo.

Cut to Kandi and Todd who are driving around in his big-ass truck discussing the do’s and don’ts for the newborn baby. Todd says if it’s a boy-no sandals and if it’s a girl-no messing with her hair. He moves on to the topic of opening a restaurant using all of Kandi’s family recipes. Kandi is hesitant, and girl should be, she’s about to have a baby. But Todd is already picking out the name – of the restaurant – in that well-meaning brain of his.

Over at Moore Manor very little work has been done. The house is a dangerous place at the moment with ladders for stairs and huge opening where the windows will go…someday. Cynthia drops by and asks Kenya about the reunion. Kenya’s response is, great with her dad, but not so great with her mom or Aunt Lori. This brings tears and bad memories to Cynthia – who can’t imagine ignoring her own daughter – and they hug it out so Cynthia can leave and not fall to her death.

Back at Phaedra’s, she accepts the collect call from the federal penitentiary, and faster than you can say “get a divorce” hands the phone over to her two year-old son, Ayden. Apollo tells him he needs to be good in school so he doesn’t have to get on him and that he’ll see him soon, if by soon he means, 8-years. The call ends before Apollo and Phaedra have a chance to whisper sweet southern nothings into the phone – like that would ever happen.

Yay! We are in Washington D.C. Phaedra is there with a team of people to take care of her and her kids and her hair and her makeup. Kim is there by herself and two kids. I get she’s a hands-on mom, really I do, but with this many people in Washington, an extra pair of hands is just smart, know what I’m sayin? Porsha, Sheree, Phaedra and everyone else are waiting in the van for Kim, but they have to leave her behind because she’s so late. Kim catches up with the ladies at Congresswoman Wilson’s office who is so excited to meet Toot Toot. #priceless

The women discuss the Congresswoman’s foundation that has made it possible for 20K African-American young men to go to college and Phae-Phae’s organization “Saving Our Sons” that mentors young men. This gets Porsha to thinking about her grandfather’s legacy, and what exactly she does not know, but just the fact that Porsha is thinking is a huge leap. Unfortunately the talk turns heavy and Kim’s son Sebastian’s ears perk up when he hears the Congresswoman say that people don’t like African-American boys. The good news, it appears Sebastian was unaware of this. The bad news, it appears as if Sebastian is now aware of this. Kim grabs her kids and is out of there for a Jesus-we-love-you moment.

Back in the ATL, Aunt Lori and her daughter Che stop by Kenya’s house unannounced, but really, is anything “unannounced” in reality TV? Aunt Lori needs a drink to summon the courage to deliver the unpleasant news. She tells Kenya that she loves her, but she also loves her sister and what Kenya did in Detroit was wrong. She continues that Kenya needs to let it go, move on and get over it already. I can’t believe how well Kenya is handling this. There are no tossed drinks. Through tears, Kenya defends what she did. She asks Aunt Lori why she left the reunion and Lori gives some elaborate excuse where at first Kenya’s mom was alone, then it was, “they” called Lori very upset, and how this woman, Kenya’s mother, hasn’t bothered Kenya. EXACTLY! That’s the point. Kenya’s mom hasn’t been bothered to do anything for her daughter.

There’s back and forth on whether Kenya had the right to reach out to her OWN mother and if she handled it correctly. Maybe in hindsight bringing a van full of people and a camera crew wasn’t the best idea, but at least she tried. Aunt Lori again stresses that Kenya needs to just let it go like this is some kind of Disney movie. Kenya describes a black cloud lifting after this final rejection. Kenya and Aunt Lori hug it out and Che tells Kenya she can take her mom anytime, please.

Onto the next D.C. function at the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, things are starting to drain on the kiddos. Sebastian says he doesn’t want to be on this stupid trip meeting these stupid people of Congress. Out of the mouth of babes, huh? I mean does this kid reflect the pulse of the nation, or what? The ladies are meeting with all kinds of powerful and important people, but Kim is having a hard time handling her kids because this is not a kids’ trip. I repeat, this is not a kids’ trip. She leaves with them to go sit in the van.

Kandi and Todd join the family for their typical feast that could feed an army. Mama Joyce proclaims how much she loves Todd. Kandi and Todd wonder if they are about to get hit up for another house. But since Mama Joyce is a good mood, they spring the new restaurant idea, OLG’s – Old Lady Gang, to the group. Some like it, some think it sounds like work. Todd puts his Hollywood spin about the poster with the three OLG’s picture on a wanted sign, and they are won over – after they learn they’ll just tell the chefs how to make their recipes.

It’s the day of the Million Man March and Porsha is dressed like she’s going to da club. Sheree’s son arrives and it’s nice to see how much he’s grown. Porsha is drooling over the kid. Kim, who came all this way with her two kids and no help, announces she has to leave because she has her own charity function back in Atlanta. WTF? Why did she come if she can’t stay? On a side note: Was it me or did you notice during Porsha’s testimonials in her fuchsia dress how her left pasty kept peeking out. Girl, wear a bra.

After being on stage with women who have lost their sons to unnecessary violence, Phaedra brings back some of the women to sit with Sheree and Porsha. It’s a real moment hearing about their pain and loss. Sheree is deeply effected since she’s lucky enough to have her handsome son sitting at her side.

Over at Cynthia and Peter’s house, they are getting ready for a surprise-it’s-not-a-surprise visit from NeNe and Greg Leakes. And while I haven’t exactly missed NeNe, it’s nice to see Greg. And okay, it’s kind of nice to see Cynthia and NeNe pick up where they left off, before their friendship contract done gone through the shredder.

Everything is wonderful until Cynthia tells NeNe that Kenya is her new girl. Oh no she di’ent. NeNe tells Cynthia no one can fill her friendship shoes.

Are you looking forward to the future showdown between Kenya and NeNe? They’ve both claimed to have changed and healed. Do you think they’ll get along or fight over Cynthia?

 

“Like” us on Facebook  “Follow” us on Twitter and on Instagram