While Episode 1 had more of a build for me, I enjoyed Episode 2 just as much.
I guess...outside of the recent return of the Newman Ranch on Y&R...I really have been conditioned to be used to small sets or everyone living in the same place in sometimes implausible ways. But the sets here are just so spacious. It almost takes me out of the scenes because I want to explore the background with my eyes. Just a sight feast. I think my favorite was the main Dupree set during the Vernon/Martin scenes.
I loved that there was a lot of establishing this episode. Like the aforementioned Vernon/Martin scenes. While they had moments in Episode 1, it was really focused on the ladies. It was nice to get more of a feel for them as well as the deepening of the relationship. Vernon came across fuller in depth to me here. And I guess I can see why since they gave intrigue with Martin's dreams and that conversation with Anita and Vernon at the end...basically hinting that they know why that is. And more importantly...does Bill know, too? Cuz that was what that conversation sounded like.
Speaking of intrigues...is Nicole's assistant Hayley's Mama? Cuz that conversation with the other younger assistant and then the camera going back into the scene between Nicole and Hayley made me go hmmmm as much as that assistant's reaction. And not to be outdone, the reveal of who Ashley is friends with...and one of those 'friends' looking at Nicole's man? Uh oh...what game are they playing?
Yes, the mother/daughter duo debated. And I already like Eva. She was sooo sweet in her scenes with Ashley. And then to see the switch in her vibe...my kind of villainess. I also like her style. Leslie's lingering look on Nicole's man was mos def intriguing. How does she know him?
Hayley came across more likeable this episode for me. If Delulu. Meanwhile, Ashley was better established here, and I found myself more invested in her as a character. First day at work, nervous about not doing right is totally relatable. And look at more of her connections showing. Her being close to Eva and Leslie and it seems like that was for a while. Meanwhile, her and Andre have a history as friends. Oooo.
Andre, Andre, Andre. I was trying to piece together how connected he was to Nicole because of the family tree that was in the special. But I didn't think Andre was Nicole's son. So...a nephew. And the real dad died...if I heard correct? Is he connected to Leslie?
I am liking Bill, but he isn't menacing enough for me yet. Which surprises me. Though I did giggle when he said aw hell no when Hayley told him what Dani did.
I thought it was funny that Dani vanished halfway through the episode. Just in time for her to show up in the coda. I actually wasn't feeling KM today as much as I did Episode 1. But TT gave throughout. Her body language. Her looks with double meanings. She even gave a bit of bougie when Dani suggested she would move out of Fairmont Crest. And I giggled at her look she gave to Vernon when he said Bill seem sincere. #theshadehunni She was soooo good.
But we know I had to save my favorite for last cuz Nicole's death stare to Hayley's suggestion she help her assimilate into the community was EVERYTHING. But I liked to see more of Nicole this episode. And her FOINE man...giving Sterling Brown to me. And then her vs Hayley. Daphnee was ooooo so good. Her looks. Her vibe. But I just love the fact that we saw Nicole, the family woman with a career and then we saw Nicole in a confrontation...two different shifts...back to back...and Daphnee navigated that beautifully.
I'm curious to see how people react to Martin and his husband. I like them as concept. Pretty to look at. But I was not feeling them...yet. But given how this show is very good at changing my mind on that, I know that will happen with them. And given the topic of gay interracial relationships still can be a topic at times, if that will be exploded on this show as well.
I see the transitions and fade to commercial were better in this episode so the close ups were on point.
Good episode. It was nice to feel more invested in characters that I didn't care for in Episode 1. Good intro of other characters. And even the other side characters have character to them. It was giving old school Y&R when you had all them side characters and they had their own personality/life/stories.