It’s time for yet another finale. Even though it took awhile to get used to this new bunch, I believe we were all starting to come around just a little bit. I feel like Brandon sort of makes up for Catherine a bit. Everyone needs a GBF with a closet full of polished silver and an endless supply of Veuve in the champagne cooler. I am not impressed with his choice of champagne glasses though.
Meanwhile, the other half of the awkward couple, Lyle is at Catherine’s daddy’s house to ask for her hand in marriage. Her daddy makes him squirm a bit before saying yes.
Hannah and Louis have to talk about the conversations they each had with her father on Saint Simons. It was literally one of the worst things I’ve ever seen divulged on reality TV. But first Hannah has to go all Naomie on Louis’ ass. Some of these girls are just so critical of their partners. If Hannah can’t handle the risks involved with Louis starting his own business, then she is with the wrong guy.
The guys, minus Nelson, get together for some guy talk. Daniel says he is getting lonely in Savannah. He is ready for a new chapter. Daniel tries to get Louis to propose to Hannah. Lyle hints he is getting ready to buy a ring.
Ashley has decided to leave Dennis. But first she has to get through the Masquerade Ball at the Georgia State Train Museum. I somehow missed that tourist spot when I was down there.
Lyle is having a mini-event prior to the ball. He’s inviting some of the crew to be there for his proposal. Lyle is super nervous. It sounds like they are going to take a boat to The Wyld, which is a tie up bar and grill sort of place. He and Catherine are walking toward the boat when Lyle says he needs to talk to her about something serious. Catherine oddly just keeps saying “No Lyle!” over and over and runs away in her ball gown like some sort of runaway bride. Catherine demands to talk to him off camera. He proposes and she says no. SHE SAID NO! Several times. OMG. It’s every guy’s worst nightmare. She says this is not the right time. He is heard sobbing crying saying,”I want to fucking marry you!”
Catherine is sobbing now. She says she can’t believe they haven’t even sat down to talk about finances and life. She asks in between sobs, “How could you do that to me?” Wow this is the most dramatic engagement gone wrong I’ve ever seen. They very unhappy couple has a very intense boat ride to The Wyld. Lyle is visibly distraught. Catherine says in her talking head that he’s only been back in Savannah for two months (aka since filming began) and he has skipped a lot of steps with her. Lyle, in his confessional says that Catherine’s priority is how they are going to pay for their five unborn children to go to Country Day School. Dear God, surely they all get a free year of tuition for every time they say the stupid name. That would surely cover it. 
Meanwhile, back at the masquerade ball that apparently has an end time of 9 pm, Nelson arrives with a female date because he is not gay. He does bring his poodle with him as well. That doesn’t mean a thing. Tickets to this black tie fundraising event are $10-15 dollars. I mean, I don’t even know what to say about that. It’s 8 pm and the crew that is waiting on Lyle and Catherine to show up is getting antsy. Daniel in particular wants to support Ashley’s event that he committed to. About that time, the unhappy couple arrives in a dingy. Louis screams out “Show me the ring!” Lyle plays it off as a belated birthday party for Catherine. But everyone surmises the actual state of events pretty quickly. Lyle goes off to be alone.
Everyone else shows up at 9 pm. to find a highly enraged Ashley. She takes out all of her anger on Happy. Ashley has no idea what has happened over the last four hours. She tells everyone to fuck off and leave.
A week later, we see Ashley preparing to break up with Dennis. The cameras are there and she is miked but she dumps him behind closed doors. The last words of the season were from Dennis, “Divorce me then.”
In happier news..
Today, when I opened my inbox I had an email with a screengrab of a conversation (un)Happy had with a reader. un(Happy) admits that she is leaving the show, “Nope, reality tv isnt for every1- myself included. I dont enjoy drinking heavily, cussing, talking abt people etc. I gave it a go…my priorities are in growing my business and my marriage which can be hard to do with cameras!”
On Instagram she says, “Whew! This wild journey of reality tv comes to an end tonight. There have been many ups and downs, and being on tv has showed our weaknesses, been embarrassing at times, and opened us up to a lot of criticism. But I consider myself lucky to have had this opportunity, albeit tough to watch at times. I have met some incredible people and created lasting friendships.” It was pretty clear she wasn’t enjoying the show that much. It’s nice to see someone choose happiness over money. She seems very happy in her wedding photos. Wise choice, Happy. Wise choice.
Thanks for the recap, TT! I agree with you. Wow, such an awkward proposal gone wrong! I really don’t get Catherine’s reluctance. Is she worried that Lyle doesn’t make enough money to support her shopping habits? Or is she just hanging out with him til someone better comes along? “How could you do that to me?” is not a gracious response when someone proposes marriage. Ugh!
I feel so bad for both of them! Something actually happened on this show besides the Ashley show and how awkward the whole episode! He basically made it sound like she won’t marry him because of money. Oy. He seems like a nice guy. Ashley should have had a longer party than two hours. I think for a charity event throwing it together and expecting no one to have plans within less than a month is a reach. I was embarrassed for her. This episode was a wreck.
There is no there there. Catherine was more animated with those boys she met on the beach than she was with Lyle. It would be just like production to push Lyle to do the engagement for the show but then, they’d already planned Ashley’s “event” and they double booked to stuff It onto the finale.
That scene was fake and totally set up. Those guys are gay.
I have fallen asleep so many times in this show, I still don’t know everyone’s name except for Unhappy and her pussy whipped groom, and Ashley.
I can’t believe Happy and her pussy were pissed that Ashley was pissed.
I’d be BEYOND livid.
That ending was strangely abrupt. I sit through the whole boring season & then they zip over the only interesting parts (fallout from the non-gagement, fallout from the masquerade ball debacle, fallout from the divorce talk). Sheesh. Is there even going to be a reunion?
The proposal was painful. I have never been to a two hour benefit…that too was painful. Ashley had every reason to be pissed. How she did not bitch slap (un)Happy and her bitchy little man, Aslan, Asshole or whatever his name is, is beyond me.
you are so funny. I just spit out my smoothie and choked. 🙂
Maybe I am just too “wordly” but being in an interfaith and interracial relationship isn’t a storyline. I am a product of an interracial relationship. Love is love. No matter where you are the path to true love is not a straight stream but a winding river. Also Happy the Unhappy Harpy has the most annoying voice I have heard on television as of late. Her syntax and cadence sound odd.I sincerely hope someone gifted this couple a dictionary to improve their lacking lexicon. Just wait for the thank you note to see if they dared to ever open it. Lord that felt good to get off my chest.
It’s ridiculous that the charity ball was from only 7 to 9. That’s hardly worth getting all dressed up for! And even if Happy and Azam and Hannah and Louis and Lyle and Catherine and Daniel had been there, that would have been only seven more people at a very sparsely attended event.
The whole thing was a disaster.
Catherine needs to face some hard truths. If she can’t bring herself to say yes to Lyle after sixteen years, they need to move on.
Painful.
I agree with everything you said! I couldn’t believe a charity event-with cocktails-had a strict end time of 9pm. Seems too early, and I always thought the the longer/more people drank, the more they may donate lol.
And poor clueless Lyle. Sigh. Definitely the only time I actually felt sorry for him.
Speaking of which, I always feel sorry for Dennis too-is that Ashley’s husband’s name?
I find it so hard to watch this show, so I read TT’s great recaps. However, I did catch the segment where Lyle is telling Catherine’s parents he is proposing. He was very endearing and they were all so happy. Therefore, I cannot believe Catherine turned him down. That is just horrible. If I were Lyle, I would be rid of her forever and never look back. She just seems so mean and a total B.
Catherine made it clear from the beginning that she was REALLY enjoying her downtown party pad and all the benefits and opportunities it provides. Good for her. Lyle fits my previous observation that often guys don’t decide to propose until they start losing their hair at a rapid rate.
And once again, the parents of SC, SC Sav, etc are the highlights of the shows.
OMG! This entire episode was painful to watch. Catherine clearly doesn’t love Kyle and that’s why she said no. “Worrying about how they are going to send their five unborn children to Country Day School”, really, Catherine? Poor Lyle! I felt so bad for him.
On the other hand, Lyle is a douchebag for scheduling an engagement/surprise party for Catherine the same night as Ashley’s masquerade event. Daniel, Ashley’s friend, should have at least called her so she wouldn’t have been so upset and disappointed. She is dealing with enough talking to Dennis about the divorce. Poor Ashley! I think Ashley lashed out at unHappy because she was the first one to arrive at her event. I’m glad unHappy won’t be on the show anymore. I think she planned to shine the light on Muslims and promote inclusion/tolerance, but she failed to do that. Enjoy your life unHappy!
I thought Catherine’s proposal rejection was the most adult thing she has done on camera all season. Yes, there should be a lot of serious discussion happening before deciding to get married. You don’t just skip the “life” details and assume love will conquer all.
I agree Jane. Some people don’t want things like that public. If they never discussed marriage and have only been seeing each other in the same town for two months she can’t be expected to say yes, however; hearing them both sob to each other I love you is sad.
Should could have said yes and had the talk with him later. It was terribly humiliating. Obvious production pressured him to propose. The whole conflict with the charity event screams production induced drama.
After all these years, I thought is was the wrong way for Lyle to ask Catherine to marry him. The comment about the 5 unborn children and County Day school came off like she was referring to a prior conversation they had. For all we know, he could have said something similar when they were talking about their future. It’s just an odd statement to pull out of you ass. Sounds like he had the commitment issues early on, and now she had her doubts. But that was a very adult answer to a question that changes your life. So many people with a lot of doubts get caught up in the moment, say yes, and think they can work it out later.
I’m not a fan of Ashley’s nor did I think having a 2 hour benefit ball was a good idea, but someone could have at least sent her a text explaining why they were late. And to take that a step further, one of them should have called Lyle or Catherine to see what the hold up was or send them a text that they had to leave to get to the benefit on time.
She didn’t even want him to ask! I think she TRIED to spare the embarrassing moment. Katie & Tom should have said no! I hope Catherine and Lyle are in a good place now. The crying to each other made me actually like them as I didn’t all season. Hannah looked jealous as hell she wasn’t getting the proposal but I bet she would have said no too.
I was truly astonished. Good manners don’t cost a thing. I may be a grown woman but I fear my Grandmother,God rest her soul, would strike me down with lightening. Who would ask someone to marry them on television if they are not sure what the answer will be? With the way Catherine and Lyle act I am not sure they know each other from Adam’s house cat? They have a very fraternal bro attitude toward each other.
Will there be a reunion show?
This was a weird finale.
Savannah has a reputation for being charmingly strange. However, this was a whole new level. Good Grief Charlie Brown, I slapped myself in the head so many times I am shocked I don’t have a goose egg the size of TRav’s ego.Gosh darn it, maybe I need to be committed if this is what I tried to relax and watch after a long day. This group is certifiable.
I echo an earlier comment- it fees like we missed most of the important action in this episode, and season. It started quite slowly and poorly with slow character revelation, slow issue evolution and then a not well developed finale that could/should have set several hours to evolve and explore slowly.
It sounded to me like Catherine loves him ,was talking about being ready in early scenes ,but didn’t want the engagement on screen ,and was trying to slow things down with those excuses, either because she is afraid of marriage, or because they truly had not spoke about finances yet and it bothered her. Her father would not have approved him had he not known she loves him- they are too close, and he would not have allowed it if she was not in love with him.
No loss with Happy’s departure- seemed like a lovely girl who means well but not a strong part of the acting group. Her interesting issues could have been far better developed. .
Same is true of each character- too much obvious steps for Ashley and not enough of the others. Could have at least been a two hour show- if not more, as it all evolved. The episode felt cut off, undeveloped and
a shame. Ashley’s discussion- since he would not film on camera, could have happened weeks before from where I sit. Hannah’s segment shod have been much longer.
This show began to hit its stride a bit in the last couple of weeks- the reaching for gracious older customs like bridge, couple development, . It could have skipped a number of earlier episodes and tacked on more at the end, for sure.
Was it me or did Catherine ask Lyle in the car in the way to the boat if there was “white powder” on her face? I would have to watch it again but I could have sworn she did and wondered if she was on something and thus the whole evening was even more of a disaster contributing to the disaster that was that attempted proposal.
She asked if “white stuff” was on her mouth. I took it as tooth paste. That shit always happens to me. I don’t think she was on anything. She didn’t even look drunk.
That is what I thought it was meant to be too. Happens all the time.
I am sorry, but if this episode wasn’t one of the most staged episodes to produce drama I don’t know what is. Why in the world would Lyle choose the day of the benefit (that his girlfriend said she wanted to do as well) to have this most precious moment? I know about the birthday and all (which was already late), and I get they were all dressed up (but he could have found another way to make that happen) but really? I don’t buy this for a second.
I was really starting to warm up to this show and even the cast somewhat. Even with the choppy production and scattered story lines. I still like it. Last night though, was just not realistic. The proposal itself was heartbreaking and poor Catherine was absolutely trying to warn him not to do it. I felt horrible for both of them. But at the same time, I felt bad for Ashley too. I kept thinking to myself (and this is what I mean about unrealistic) do none of these people have cell phones? It didn’t make sense. Lyle could have phoned or texted to just go on to the benefit and they would catch up.
It seemed like all these story lines were rushed together to bring as much drama to the finale (and a hope for a second season) as possible.
Why are Ashley’s eyes always glassy?
Lyle is someone that I think I should like………he seems like he could be charming and endearing but I can’t stand him. He really has it out for Ashley for some reason. To actually make last minute plans for an engagement/birthday party when you are expected to be at a charity event is just such an a$$hole move. If the charity event finished at 9pm – take care of your personal business at that point. I think he is a giant jerk.
Is this not-so-Charming crew having a reunion or did I miss it? I checked my OnDemand listings and it’s not there.
Nope, No reunion.
Isn’t that odd in Bravo land? That doesn’t appear to bode well for the show’s future.