I am more pleased than usual to take the time to recap this show with the nonstop gruesome news coming out of Florida. Somehow, these stupid shows do serve a greater good during times like this. I just checked the ratings for this show and they are doing better than expected holding on to almost half of the RHOA viewers with nearly a million views an episode. They do seem to lose the younger folks though. It looks like there are ten episodes of this, which seems like a lot. That info could be wrong or it could be that since they are investing in overseas filming they wanted to get in as many as possible. This is only episode five. Diann just confirmed they are almost halfway through, so ten episodes it is.
Shay wakes up extremely hungover after a night of too much brown juice and wine. Mixing is bad, yo! At least she is quiet in the morning.
Diann still hasn’t given up on Mercedes. Shay has a ton of options. Diann is having a picnic for the girls and they are excited to see who she decides to bring.
Delusional Ashley goes to see Leo who shows off his judicial robe. Is he a judge? I don’t think we were told what sort of political figure he was. Ashley confronts Leo about his social media photos. He says they are from six years ago. This relationship is ridiculous. Why is Ashley trying to hold on to it? FINALLY she gets it when he won’t kiss her in public. Leo is just a media whore.
IT’s time for the picnic at Villa Borghese, and it is a beautiful location. Angelo arrives to take Nakita and Claudio takes Gina. The rest of the girls arrive solo. Ashley doesn’t want to talk about dumping Leo. Roberto arrives as Shay’s date. I think he is the chef I like for her. Ashley pulls D. Micah aside to tell him about breaking up with Leo and she is not in the mood to meet new people. She cries on his shoulder. Diann does a follow-up with Ashley. She seems pissed with Leo.
Claudio asks Gina to make love to him. He’s rather bold. LOL. That’s Italian men for you. They go for a bike ride and Gina decides not to wear shoes for this. Oh, it’s a golf cart. They seem to have a great time! This could be a match! They seem to have had the best date.

They have two guys coming for Mercedes. They try to tell her not to close them off. She acts like she does not do that. She does. Lorenzo is a young tall DJ with a man bun, and Frederico is a tall poet with a man bun. Is that really a job? Both check off the tall box at least. Lorenzo wants to go to Cochellla. Of course Mercedes doesn’t like either one and has invited Kwame who she met at the bar. He’s an accountant from Ghana. Kwame doesn’t meet Mercedes’ religious requirements. Lorenzo and Fredrico leave because they realize that Kwame and Mercedes are clearly attracted. Diann says she didn’t set Mercedes up with Kwame because he is an atheist. Kwame is quickly rising up on Mercedes list, and passing Jesus along the way.
Angelo and Nakita go on a boat ride. She is nervous because she can’t swim. Angelo is a bit over the top and screams from the boat that he loves Nakita. This freaks her out more.
Shay and Roberto play bocce ball. Roberto says the key is to hit his balls really hard. /giggle. Diann is worried that Shay is drinking too much, again.
After the picnic, Mercedes and Kwame go on a date. It goes very well. They may have a come to Jesus moment. Angelo is camping out downstairs while Nakita is upstairs having second thoughts about him. Shay and Roberto seem to be on different pages as well. Shay wanted to go out, but Roberto wants to cook for her because it is late and things are closed. Nakita tries to get Shay to drink water and stop being so drunk and angry, but it doesn’t work. She drags Roberto to her room where she lectures him and makes demands. Way to ruin a good relationship, Shay!
Are y’all still watching this?
I’m watching and enjoying and judging…in fact, I’m enjoying judging.
Something had to end up on the cutting room floor that would help us understand why Ashley was so caught up in Leo. It makes no sense that she was that upset.
Mercedes is young and annoying…she reminds me of myself when I was her age. Not on the need for perfection, but I, too, would proclaim the need to have a saved man, but would make excuses for the first halfway cute dude that came along with little to no interest in Jesus. She’s going to be uber disappointed in how this turns out.
Shay comes off as an alcoholic. Roberto was quite the catch, but her immaturity messed that up. I love the way he put her in check because her demand for attention was childish even though it clearly stems from her mommy/daddy issues.
I usually watch this on the weekend button I admit at times I get turned off by how uncultered they act. I haven’t watched the last two episodes but by your recap it seems like they’ve gotten a bit better. I do love the concept of the concept of Black women dating outside their comfort zone. I hope they do make some real connections.
I’m watching and enjoying! Thank you for recapping TT.
I think maybe Ashley put her trust in the process. Her first date with Leo was beyond awkward to me but I’m guessing she wanted to trust Diane and went all in?
I came away undestanding Mercedes a bit better after this episode…25 siblings? Yikes! I can see why she has a long list of wishes in her man choices, Christian being at the top of the list…she’s young though and gets distracted by a pretty face…and melanin..tee hee! Kwame seems like a good guy so far…time will tell, kinda glad there are a lot of episides!
Oh no, Nakita’s Angelo is too much! Maybe he’d be better for Shay!
I love Roberto! Shay blew it! Not a good look Shay. She’s going to be a hard gal to match up. He’s thoughtful, kind, fun and likes to cook, plus he’s pleasant to look at…I’m guessing next week we say goodbye to Roberto…
Gina? Go girl! It was nice seeing her let her guard down..
I am getting into this show after reading your recaps.
It’s fun and mindless, both very much needed right now. Shay is too loud and her wide open mouth when she laughs is also irritating. So unladylike. I was reared by my grandparents so I am a little uptight/stuffed shirt, my friends call me “young granny”.
Ashley is way too disturbed by Leo. I suspect Ashley went “all the way” or at least to 3rd base with Leo, hence her emotions toward someone she just met.
I’m happy for Gina, hope she remains open to love.
Nakita has opened up and I’m loving it, she seems more comfortable with herself now.
Mercedes, I also dropped several “requirements” when a handsome, charming man came along. It works out well if the man has integrity and good character. Kwame seems to be a man of good character, which means more to me than if he says he is religious (I learned that the hard way from a “religious” elder when I was 18)
This show is a sleeper. shhhhhhshh
I am still watching because I just absolutely love Rome!
I like Shay the best I guess (well she seems like the most fun, anyway) but she was acting like a spoiled brat. Roberto is *hawt* is she is blowing it.
Ashley is annoying. How could she be that upset over Leo, she barely knew the guy. I mean he could barely even speak English, it didn’t seem that they had this “amazing connection” or anything. Move on girl.
Mercedes is also annoying with all the Jesus talk. Kwame is attractive and intelligent.
Roberto can get it!! I would lock him in asap..
Kwame is a hottie.
Leo is cute… I don’t get why Ashley made such a big deal about him not wanting to do any sort of PDA..
Shay is out of her damn mind to get sloppy drunk and make drunk girl demands. That’s what you watch Jersey Shore or Rock of Love for. She’d be great on the Flava Flav show with Pumpkin and New York. Roberto was maki g me feel very primal in a fuck it you’re only in Rome once way. Knock shit off counters,drink great wine and sleep in all weekend wake, lather, fkn repeat. But that’s just me watching Bravo at night sipping vino reading blogs. The harsh sound of my alarm might sound like a record scratch.
Boo to Angelo for Nakita. I get major gay vibes from him. It may be that Euro men are quite expressive and it’s goofy.
Nice to see Gina slowly opening. There’s a shit ton of anguish and pissed offness vibes from her. She’s got a great smile and looks better when she’s open and natural.
Mercedes is a gorgeous and smart young woman. She’s at that age where it is addicting the power you feel at that age as a young smart female. I hope she enjoys it now. I suspect when she matures her very long list of deal breakers and such will shorten considerably. Mine did…I was adamant must not be under 6ft..make no less then 6 figures. Not have gross hands with calluses and hangnails. List goes on and on…she’ll get there. The list goes out the window and the heart will get what it wants. Don’t rush being young as untethered. In a blink there’s bills and kids and life.
I like this show and hope it gets another season of a set of all NEW women.
Love your comment Gina. Everything about it is perfect!! Especially about Mercedes…that was truth!
@Gina – Yes, love your comment 100%.
There was a Flavor of Love marathon on last weekend, LOL! I was disappointed in Shay’s behavior. She’s gonna blow it with fine ass Roberto. She’s really too old for the drunk girl routine. I’m still confused by the whole bank scene.
Yes, Gina has that perpetual pissed off, do you know who I am, vibe. Get over yourself girl. I was glad to see she’s opening up a little. Divorce is hard. I got divorced after 20 years. It wasn’t a bad break-up it was just time to let it go. I hope Gina softens up more so I can root for her.
I don’t know what Ashley’s deal is but it never seemed like Leo was into her anyway. I still think she was mad b/c Shay was getting more male attention. I like Nakita. I think they just brought Angelo in to give her some confidence. She’s so pretty and genuine.
Mercedes – she’s just a girl. I cringe at the things I said when I was 25. She will too when she gets older.
Diane is dresses well and is very put together. Oh how I’d love to have her job and (hopefully) the production budget to dress in Italian finery. I want to know who her man is, becuse he has to be fine.
Okay I love you all for watching this with me. That is what a need, xoxo ~tt
@TT, thanks for recapping this one!
I’m surprised that I like this show. I was pretty turned off at the idea of black women having to go to another country to find love (yeah, I got some issues). But I see it’s more than that and it’s refreshing.
I hope it gets a second season with a new group of women. Hopefully it won’t turn into a ratchet mess like the Housewives.
I enjoy this show and I’m happy there are 10 episodes. I tend to enjoy the non housewives shows like Tour Group(yes I’m still mourning the loss of that show) and Ladies of London and this show because they are fresh and entertaining.
Mercedes cracks me up because she’s oblivious to the fact that she does not want what she says she wants and her actions shows that. She seems happy with Kwame and he’s hot so I hope that works.
Ashley is ridiculous and needs to get over herself. It seems she’s more upset Leo didn’t work out because of the ‘status’ than because of an actual attraction to him.
Gina appears to be finally opening up and I like it and hope she makes a connection.
Shay is annoying and stupidly ruining things with Roberto.
Nakita is my favorite but I don’t like Angelo. He seems to be all about the cameras or maybe I’m just judging his over the top personality too harshly.
I’m really enjoying this show. It’s refreshing due to the locale and the idea of black women looking for love in Italy. I’m not crazy about Shay’s behavior. She acted like a drunk, entitled idiot and ruined her relationship with Roberto. I don’t blame him one bit for bailing on her. Who wants to be treated like that? Nakita is sweet and deserving of love. She has a body image problem and I hope she realizes how beautiful she is. Angelo seemed gayish to me. Way over the top and he seemed like a comic book character. Not real at all. Ashley dumping Leo didn’t annoy me because he seemed to take it way too well as if he really wasn’t that into her. I think he was enjoying the publicity. She’s the most beautiful one on the show and it astounds me that she never felt beautiful due to colorism. I wish people would just learn to love the skin they’re in. Gina seems to be the one with a host of “hidden” issues. I find her demeanor a bit odd and she is borderline rude at times. I don’t know. Maybe she’ll find love, but it’s annoying how she keeps stressing that she has never been attracted to a white man before. She needs to just relax and allow herself to feel. The scene where she talked about the cooking show and her marriage raised a lot of red flags. Why was she so willing to live a life she hated? Lastly, there is Mercedes. She is young and immature and very cocky. It’s strange that she keeps saying she loves the Lord so much since she really seems to love herself. She has a lot to learn