1 hour ago, Vanguardian53 said:

I absolutely don't understand the reasoning for leaving Nicole out. She's Martin's mother and a therapist. She had every right to know what was going on with her kid.

I expect Vernon will tell her why.  My guess is they didn't wanna compromise Nicole's integrity by making her an "accessory after the fact".  (Nicole previewed that in her conversation with Vanessa in Thursday's show.  "As the daughter of a senator and the mother of a congressman, I'm expected to act a certain way.")

That also seemed to be Vernon's motivation in excluding Smitty.  Vernon said something to the effect of, "We shouldn't have pressured you to leave Smitty out of this."  To which Martin said, "Smitty wouldn't have gone along with this big cover-up."  Vernon nodded and said, "And he would've been right."  

(I think this story has been very interesting in terms of "what would YOU do" in a situation like Martin & Vernon were in, and whom would you tell about it afterwards.)   

Writers:
Gregori J. Martin
Judy Tate

Director:
Steven Williford

Anita had better tell Nicole everything.   If Anita tries to put a spin on it, I will be upset!

I want Nicole to know it all.  Looking forward to the strong fierce queen Nicole taking it all in, and then raging out.  I believe she's strong enough!

As if there isn't a lack of connection between Martin and his parents, Nicole is seriously unaware that her son has been acting different these past two years. Would have been better if the dialogue said something to show that Nicole noticed Martin hadn't been acting himself but she didn't realize there was a problem in the marriage.

And are they really going to have Anita tell Nicole the secret instead of using this moment to foster and showcase the relationship between Nicole and Martin. 

Still doesn't make sense to keep this from Nicole when two years ago she was okay. 

5 minutes ago, GLATWT88 said:

As if there isn't a lack of connection between Martin and his parents, Nicole is seriously unaware that her son has been acting different these past two years. Would have been better if the dialogue said something to show that Nicole noticed Martin hadn't been acting himself but she didn't realize there was a problem in the marriage.

And are they really going to have Anita tell Nicole the secret instead of using this moment to foster and showcase the relationship between Nicole and Martin. 

Still doesn't make sense to keep this from Nicole when two years ago she was okay. 

I was coming here to say the same thing. A missed opportunity to show the mother/son dynamics we’ve been denied for five months.

15 hours ago, ReddFoxx said:

Smitty's anger at Martin is understandable, but putting him out the house is a bit much considering that Martin is extremely traumatized.

Samantha just pointed that out today to Smitty, and asked Smitty to promise to at least keep talking to Martin -- not asking for reconciliation yet but at least communication.  Smitty agreed.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by janea4old

Smitty to Samantha: Anyone ever tell you you're like a 30-year-old stuck in a 16-year-old's body? 

Samantha: I was born 16 so the math is mathing.

11 minutes ago, Faulkner said:

I was coming here to say the same thing. A missed opportunity to show the mother/son dynamics we’ve been denied for five months.

Definitely. 

Anita is so full of it. I’m glad Nicole is pushing back on that nonsense.

I hope this doesn’t become more about Nicole’s continued anger towards Ted (his withholding the information and his involvement in the cover-up) than establishing her relationship with Martin. These family relationships matter more than plot.

Did they not trust BC to deliver? I mean I know some here feel otherwise, but his acting needed work in the attack scene and when he spilled to Smitty, but nonetheless an odd choice to have Anita tell Nicole first. Did they want to give TT something to do? 

2 minutes ago, Faulkner said:

Anita is so full of it. I’m glad Nicole is pushing back on that nonsense.

yes!  Nicole was magnificent and oh so right in everything she said!

3 minutes ago, Faulkner said:

Anita is so full of it. I’m glad Nicole is pushing back on that nonsense.

I hope this doesn’t become more about Nicole’s continued anger towards Ted (his withholding the information and his involvement in the cover-up) than establishing her relationship with Martin. These family relationships matter more than plot.

Yes! I was like hold up. Don't go and zero in on Ted doing this surgery and not telling you when your grandad and son who were victims of this attack never said a word to you about it and it should be on them whether or not you knew anything at all. 

date: Friday, July 18, 2025 | Gregori J. Martin, Judy Tate | Steven Williford

• Samantha, it's barely been an hour (at most)... Bradley does not need to let Deadbeat come back home. Deadbeat should be in the doghouse for two-plus years for the bull he's put everyone through.
• Elon, you're being awfully aloof where things are concerned right now, and it is alerting your very astute and aware son. Be careful.
• Nicole jumped right to the idea that Deadbeat cheated like his daddy, but nope... he committed murder, honey! Good on Vernon. Tell her the truth, finally.
• Anita is bringing out the hot toddies with honey! She said, "We're going to drink for this!"
• Blah, Blah, Blah... you know what, Deadbeat, maybe if Bradley did all of that for you, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HONEST! Don't blame anyone but yourself for the situation you're now in.
• As 'delicate' as Anita's approach is for Nicole... Nicole is also taking it in such a way that's going to seem... trite after she learns what happened.
• I feel for Nicole so much; the hurt, the deceit, the continued lies... she knows she could've helped Martin through it all, and knowing Ted knew something and was involved? I see the hurt in her eyes. Not Nicole calling Anita and Vernon and everyone gangsters/mobsters... wait until she finds out Joey was involved, cause...
• Deadbeat was hungry... did he even eat? Or did they have cocktails only?
• Poor Bradley, so heartbroken, remembering when times were brighter and better. Poor guy. He deserves better.
• Samantha, put your ass back to bed.
• The support that Anita and Vernon show to each other is so beautiful; they're together, no matter what. When one is down, the other lifts up.

Notes:

• BRAVO! We are continuing the race talk with the Martin storyline, and I think it's beautifully honest; we're not grazing after anything or making light of it. We are confronting it head-on! It was not about what car they were driving, nor that they were in office... point blank: it was two White men having a problem with two Black men on 'their turf', and that's as honest as it can get.
• Daphnée Duplaix (Nicole) and Tamara Tunie (Anita) came to play today; the emotions I feel from the both of them during the scenes today are so powerful. It's what I wanted from Brandon Claybon (Martin) and have yet to get.
• I appreciate the continued adjustment in the lighting on sets; the skintones for all cast members seem to be improving, thankfully.
• More fresh flashbacks! How nice. And not going to lie, the 'former' arrangement of their living room? I prefer it to what they have now... but I like that they switched it up as us 'normal' folk do from time to time.
• Mike Manning (Bradley) continues to show up and prove his talents.

It was interesting that for me as a viewer, when Anita was telling Nicole about the attack two years ago, I learned a few more details than how Martin described it to Smitty.

Edit: well not new details, as we already knew all this from what Martin saw and described. . . but rather, Anita's spoken word description details along with with the visuals of Martin's full flashback of it all -- made it more of a full depiction for me.

Edited July 18Jul 18 by janea4old

Good episode! I'm starting to love it more. Good drama with everyone acting their asses off. 

2 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

Nicole calling Anita and Vernon and everyone gangsters/mobsters

Yes!  So true!

Everything Nicole said was spot on.