The Real Housewives of Atlanta Review: Who Sucked Out The Feeling?

There was no question, after this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, how bad things really were between Nene and Greg during filming. But if there was, the answer would be reeeeaally bad. Whether it was lunch with Kim or drinks gone awkward with Cynthia and Peter, the evident lack of care, happiness and simple enjoyment between the two of these made it appear as if all love had been sucked out of the building. Normally, there are endless amounts to giggle about while watching RHoA, but somehow, this storyline always makes me sad. Maybe it’s that I’m a product of divorced parents or that I’m single and still looking for love. Whatever it may be, I found no enjoyment in watching Nene drunkenly and embarrassingly tell Greg that he’s a bad communicator and try to get him to admit it or Greg’s horrible indifference to her obvious despair.  I’m sure it was even more uncomfortable for Cynthia and Peter who wished that they’d work it out prior to entering their house. I can only imagine that they left hoping for the swiftest of divorces.

While it was strange to see Greg appear out of nowhere and for something as trivial as “drinks”, it was about time that he showed his face. I wished he’d said more, maybe discussed his marriage or try to counsel his stepson about getting a job or his other son about how to avoid the nefarious ways of Bryson. (I get that divorce on camera must be a horrible prospect to deal with but ignoring the problem is never the best option.) Instead, Peter and Cynthia had to act as Greg. Peter said he would help Bryson learn more about his club business (if he was ready to put in hard work which is debatable.) And Cynthia was Nene’s sounding board. After her tiff with Greg, she had someone to run to and lament about how she’s contemplating divorce. Fortunately for me, Nene had tons of other things, besides her own life, to riff on.

Kim took the cameras to her storage unit which, she claimed, was filled with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of things that she would never need again. At least she was smart enough to notice the futile exercise of hawking her things. Even if she sold everything, she’d just end up buying a ton more stuff with the money. Still, since there was no party for all of ladies to congregate at, everyone decided to turn up for Kim’s parking lot estate sale, as Phaedra hilariously deemed it. Nene even walked away with a bed. Then, they got some lunch at the Burger Shack next door.

There, the topic of conversation was Phaedra’s unknown delivery date. Phaedra still hasn’t seemed to have made sense out of how pregnancy works. The girls were confused. I’m still confused! And the girls were just not about to let it go. (Thank you ladies for all your good-hearted evil nosiness!) For some reason, Phaedra was sticking to the story that, at 7 months, the baby was fully developed and ready to be forced out. Now, each of the housewives (even Kim!) couldn’t believe that Phaedra would do something that harmful to her baby. (Phaedra also used excuse B that even Apollo was born at 8 lbs. at 7 months.) So the girls figured that she MUST be lying. (Please be lying.) Theories flew! Is it another man’s? Did she get knocked up on a conjugal visit? Was the baby pre-marriage? All are titillating ideas.

This week, Cynthia began to settle on the idea of marriage. Her ex and the father to her child Noelle stopped by for his monthly visit, and the two had a candid conversation about Peter. (Her ex is also Leon Robinson of Cool Runnings and Waiting to Exhale. According to IMDB, he only goes by Leon now.) Leon, obviously, knows her well, and the two were engaged for a time so he understands what Peter is going through as well as wanting the best for Cynthia. It was refreshing to see her so open even if her view of marriage still seemed a bit clinical. Later on, Peter confessed that he was, in fact, getting her a ring and wanted to surprise her. She, also, sweetly told him that he was “an original” and that she’d never find another him. It was the most romantic thing that she’d said yet, though she did say it after telling him that he was old.

Kandi didn’t have any husband, baby or boyfriend trouble, but she did have Kim. And that’s a lot to handle. First, Kim brought Lawrence, Sheree’s hairstylist, into the studio. She wanted to sign him and turn him into the first male, out and proud artist. He has a good voice too. I’m not sure if she was serious or if she just wanted to soften the blow, for all the “top” producers who were there with her, before Kim came in. I’m hoping it’s a little bit of both. When Kim arrived, she came with no intentions of singing or listening, essential tasks for being a musical artist. After a poor showing in the booth and not even a smidge of excitement, Kandi suggested Kim ruminate on the song and try again later.

But when Kim played the song for Nene, even she couldn’t muster up any kudos. I, personally, thought the song was horrible too (too much beat and no catchy hook). When the two sat down again, Kim told Kandi that she just wasn’t feeling the song, so Kandi made some demands of her own. If she was going all in, then Kim needed to do the same, and the first stop would be singing lessons. Kim scoffed, saying to camera that she basically knew she was musically gifted and that the song just didn’t fit her. Their standoff was pretty funny, and for two women who tip-toe around their friendship, you know that this one mini-confrontation will lead to something juicy in the future.

Sheree was mysteriously absent, though she did appear in a snippet during commercials. She told Kim that Tiy-E didn’t appear to have money even though he was a doctor, and he was also staying at a HoJo. The look of horror on Kim’s face all but made up for Sheree’s absence. It wasn’t the most exciting weeks, but it the absurdity level was definitely on the ups. And birth, marriage and divorce are still on the horizon. Count me in for the long haul.

QUOTABLES

“Kim can say whatever she wants about the track but raise your hand if you have a Grammy,” Kandi raises hand to the “No Scubs” Gods.

“I don’t think you can have enough mirrors ever. My hair can change every two feet. I have to be able to look in a mirror.” – Kim

“Pour some wine in my coffee cup,” – Kim

“She was trippin’ with her prices… this ain’t Neiman’s!” – NeNe

“Stop saying that out loud so everybody can hear how to crazy you are.” – Nene about Phaedra

“Feel the rhythm. Feel the rhyme. Get on up. It’s bobsled time!” – Okay so it’s not a quotable from this episode but  I just couldn’t help myself.

Season 3, Episode 6: Trashed Collection (originally aired November 7, 2010)

For more on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, click here.

Mondays at 9pm on Bravo

Photographs courtesy of Bravo and Wilford Harewood.

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