I am of mixed emotions about this episode. I love seeing New Orleans but I am not excited to see Reagan mistreat Jeff and them try to make herself the victim. Y’all know that is about to happen.
We begin with the break up of the guys painting party at 1 a.m. Barry and Tamica argue in the car on the way home, but she is mad at Jon not Barry.
Jeff and Reagan are both drunk. Barry forgot his phone in his jacket at Jon’s and had to go back to get it. Reagan starts in on Jeff. Then She knocks Jeff’s wet painting into his suit jacket while calling it a stupid painting. She apologizes and says she will clean it. Jeff scoffs at her and says she doesn’t even know how to iron a shirt. She says, “I work. You don’t work anymore.” She’s so belittling to him I can’t stand it. Apparently, Reagan tells Jeff that he has a “concussion brain” on the regular. He says he is tired of that and he is not disabled. When she says she is just looking out for him, he demands the driver let him out of the car. Jeff runs off, literally and instead of following him in the car, she calls Tamica (and Barry) to come rescue her. Barry tries to get Jeff to leave with him but he refuses and asks to just be left alone. Tamica and Reagan leave in one car while Barry texts with Jeff to please get in the car with him. He tells Jeff he is 70 miles from home. Eventually, Jeff says to take him to the French Quarter apartment.
The next day, Reagan is apparently going about her own business with her Starbucks and sunglasses and shows up to the apartment where Jeff has been sleeping on the floor in his suit pants and suit vest. She immediately starts in on how shitty he looks. Jeff apologizes to her. She says she wants her husband back. Jeff says he knows he need help. He doesn’t know how to deal with his hurt and anger of his parents stealing all of his money and disowning him when they were confronted. He doesn’t know how to process that. Plus he has had several concussions. Reagan says she is going to pack some bags and move into the apartment. She wants him to get help. He just keeps apologizing and saying he doesn’t want to lose her too.
Justin tells Kelsey about his idea that they stay with his parents for a few months during the remodel of his house. She is less than thrilled by the idea.
Reagan goes to visit Tamica to trash talk Jeff. On The View recently they were talking about Millennials and how they don’t know how to cook. Only 40% of those polled felt that they were “moderately equipped to bake pre-made cooks. This involves slicing the pre-made dough and putting in the oven for ten minutes. Tamika proves tonight that she falls into the 60% group that is unable to make pre-made cookies. Reagan wonders if encouraging Jeff to get counseling is her making a mountain out of a molehill. Um, no. He needs help. He needs support from his wife. He needs someone by his side to comfort him. Not a wife moving out to leave him to suffer alone. Yet, Reagan starts asking what it was like when Tamica got divorced. Reagan says she needs some time. Tamica says now the condo makes sense. Reagan is running from something.
Jeff goes to see Barry to thank him helping him out. Barry says that for a while there, Jeff was not himself. Jeff is afraid. He’s afraid of CTE from all the concussions. He’s brokenhearted over the loss of his family. He realizes he needs to get help. He is extremely depressed.
Barry and Gian, the woman who Tamica is very, very, not jealous of meet at an empty bar. They had already worked out together earlier in the day. Gian is helping Barry start a new business line connected to his gym. This does not seem wise.
Jeff explains to us that Reagan’s jewelry line is a partnership. He has an MBA and handles all the shipping and receiving and accounting and quality control and well, he runs the business. Reagan comes up with the knock-off Anne Klein designs and takes photos. He is doing some sort of party for the jewelry line and seems terribly nervous to please Reagan. This is just such a said couple to choose for TV. It feels invasive to watch this. While Jeff is working, Reagan is at the event location. Why? The location is booked. There is nothing set up yet. It seems like nothing more than an ad for the event site. Jeff is actually picking who will wear what suit and what lapel pin will go on it. Justin says that people think that Reagan is the creative one, but Jeff actually has the edge in that category. He says Jeff’s eye for detail is spot on. Jon says the same thing. Reagan is the car and Jeff is the engine. She tells Jon what to do and he has to get it done.
The night of the jewelry party, Reagan is at the event site working tirelessly to get the decorations and the suit forms in place. She’s exhausted. Oh wait. She’s not even there. Jeff is working his ass off to make everything perfect for her. He’s literally rolling out red carpet and lighting candles and arranging the flowers. Reagan wanders in later with a bottle of wine in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. She needs a place for her glam squad to work on her while Jeff hangs all the photos.
Jon shows up shirtless under a suit jacket with some random date. I’m not complaining about getting to see those abs again. It’s a jewelry party with Mardi Gras Indians. How lucrative could these cheap jewelry parties actually be? A girl named Rachel shows up who is married to a retired football player. She has dementia has set in for him. She sends him to the store with a list and he comes back with nothing on the list. This sounds like bullshit to me. Who sends someone with dementia to the grocery store or anywhere else alone? Did they pick this concussion storyline out of a hat? It seems very produced to me.
Tamica tells Justin she doesn’t think Kelsey is the one for him. Who says that to people? Especially with the girlfriend just a few feet away waiting for her walk-in time. People who are being produced to say things that’s who. I’ve never seen a first season so tightly scripted before. When Kelsey walks up, Tamica says that Justin is unable to say if Kelsey is the one. Reagan tells Tamica to stop making her guest uncomfortable at her party.
Jon tries to talk to Tamica how disruptive and rude she was at his party that she was not invited to. A couple of Jon’s friends are there and Tamica calls Barry over. One of Jon’s friends says Tamica seems very insecure. What? Tamica is VERY NOT insecure! Just like she is VERY NOT jealous! And she says that “insecure” is a trigger word for her. Jon decides to take his date of the night home and his two friends. The guy friend who called her insecure, screams it again on the way out. Tamica says that the guy is a parrot and just keeps repeating words. The guy says,”At least I don’t look like one!” This requires Barry to have to jump up and go after the guy. Words are exchanged and the dude, Kway, says if he touches him he will sue him. He just keeps saying that over and over. Barry gets pissed off and tells Jon to get his little faggot ass out of here (referring to Kway) before he throws his fucking ass over the balcony.
Next week, Barry is in hot water for calling Kway a faggot. He will be lectured the entire episode. The group goes on a bayou cruise. Oh no! Not a boat ride! And Rachel, Reagan’s NFL wife friend tells her if she moves to the French Quarter and leaves him behind, she will end up divorced.
Im loving it so far… and Jon’s abs are 2.5 hours away from me. If I ever catch then filming it’ll be 400 photos of his abs and one group shot. Oops.
This was hard to watch- poor Jeff. He is obviously going through a time of transition in his life. Football career suddenly over, parents steal his money and ice him out and he is trying to regroup and find himself. Instead of being a supportive wife, Reagan constantly tells him he has a brain injury while she establishes a home in the city. She offers zero support and sees herself as the victim. When she smashed the painting on his jacket and smirked, I felt we were seeing the real Reagan and she is not a good soul.
Thanks for the quick recap! Excellent as always!
Agree, agree! Reagan is gaslighting Jeff to convince him that he has the now dreaded CTE and the poor guy is just suffering from “spoiled wife who has used Jeff and his fame and money up and now wants a new guy.” Great wife behavior, Reagan!
Oh dear, I had such high hopes for this, set in New Orleans and all. Is it the Whitney effect? We all know what happens when Whit gets his hands on a script. Reading you say that this is scripted is the official kiss of..if not death, then imminent prolonged coma. I hope it pulls out and loosens up and works. I do love the location, I”ve never been to the States and when i eventually come, it’s going to be all south, all the time and LOTS of food.
I’d suggest Charleston, Savannah, (a short drive apart) with a beach visit to Isle of Palms (Charleston area) and Jekyll Island (near Savannah) and a day trip to Saint Simons Island (near Savannah/Jekyll) for dinner at a restaurant I am not sure is even there anymore and can’t remember the name of. It’s a bit upscale and has a seasonal menu. Also the beaches of Alabama (Gulf Shores and St George Island) are beautiful and not too far from some great casinos in Biloxi, Missippippi if you like to hit someCasinos/slots.
I was thinking the same itinerary. LOL.
thankyou, I’m very heavy (and getting heavier as a result) on the culinary side. Having never been to the US before, I want to go get cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde and drive through daquiris and all of that obvious stuff. But after watching, at your recommendation, Top Chef last year, I’m interested in gullah (sp) cooking and other regional southern cuisines. Our landscape/environment here in Northern NSW and Queensland is very similar to the South. Queensland is called the ‘Deep North’ in Australia for a reason too (politically). And the architecture, it blows me away and i’m really happy about this franchise as a result. It’s probably all a bit passe and cliched for people who actually live there, i get that too. I’ve been reading James Lee Burke for decades, he’s my favourite all time author and he’s invested me with an appreciation for the history/culture/problems etc. Thanks for the recommends. Thanks for not including anything Shep is involved with! (jk)
I love, love, love James Lee Burke! Have always wanted to go to N. O. just because of his books, too!
You must visit Beautfort, SC and drive out the sea islands. Beaufort is between Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA. My parents lived there and I loved visiting the area (and still do after their deaths.) Read Pat Conroy, esp. Prince of Tides (not the movie so much – read the book,) and you will be transported to that delightful low country.
I love James Lee Burke. I met him once at a signing and he was a perfect Southern gentleman. I asked him to please never kill Batiste! Did you know his real-life daughter, Alafair, is a writer too? And Mr. Nutt, I wish they still made it.
I love Alafair Burke’s books!
It took me a minute to realize that Kway of Blame It On Kway fame. Some of his stuff is really funny. Some is not. Barry is already all over social media apologizing for his behavior and for calling Kway a faggot. That faux pas will come back to haunt him many times before he has to face Andy at the reunion.
Jeff is the only one that is bringing me back each week. This guy has to be stressed out of his mind about a brain injury and possibly ending up with CTE. No way in hell I would let my son play football knowing what we now know about concussions and CTE.
Every time Jon shows us his abs I let out a little sigh and then he opens his mouth and all those happy feelings go away.
The women are the least compelling characters on this show.
I think Kway started it to get some screen time. I am sure he would benefit from the recognition. The argument was silly on both sides.
I agree on his motives and that it was silly.
He will assure all that he is not a homophobic bigot in the same way that his wife shows that she is not jealous or insecure.
It is really difficult to listen to Reagan with her Countney Kardashian nasal voice in a New Orleans accent. Usually, I loves the New Orleans accent. What is WITH all of theses women from all over the country using that same nasal Valley Girl affectation?
It is really difficult to listen to Reagan with her Countney Kardashian nasal voice in a New Orleans accent. Usually, I loves the New Orleans accent. What is WITH all of theses women from all over the country using that same nasal Valley Girl affectation?
He could go to the store with a lust in early stages. He probably needs a list with store name and items. It sounds like he lost his list. Dementia has 7 stages, it’s progressive. I have been through it with my grandmother and now my mother. I would not take a multi-million $ contract if I knew there might be brain damage. It is horrible.
Speaking of horrible, Jeff might have brain damage and Reagan thinks she will move out so he can get himself together. She has a party apartment waiting for her. What is this, keep the husband’s money and have your freedom too? I wonder if she can tell she is badgering him when she watches? She isn’t bothered in the least about her husbands issue but for the inconvenience to her. She did take the opportunity to get some attention.
When I first saw Jon, I thought he was wearing one of those t-shirts with abs painted on. Have Mercy!
I think she has family money, like a lot of family money.
7 years in the NFL is a size able chunk of money if Mama doesn’t take it all. Funny think about money, there is never enough. I used to wish I had $100 to buy this or that or a new job paid more. There wasn’t a time with no roof over my head or anything like that. I always wanted to earn more, still do. Millionaires want to be Multi Millionaires who want to be Billionaires. My point being that even if she has some family money she will be needing more. I don’t see Reagan as low maintenance.
Mama took it all. He is broke. How people do this to their own child is unthinkable.
I think Jon definitely was wearing makeup on his abs to contour them, BUT STILL!
I think Reagan is trying really hard to make it look like she comes with money. Lineage does not equal money which is why she married an NFLer who she clearly does not love. She will never stick with him through CTE if that diagnosis is made. She already has one foot if not both out the door. That will kill Jeff.
Sadly CTE can’t be diagnosed before an autopsy. There can be signs but, not a diagnosis. I haven’t seen the episode yet because of other stuff also recording. But, as a wife and a human I can’t imagine doing what Reagan has already done to her husband. It’s sad to watch.
I am sorry to say this….but I’m betting dollars to donuts that she has had a plan for a while. Probably from the beginning of plans to be on the show. Her behavior, the new apartment, wanting time to be alone…she’s done. His money is gone and his health issues just make her think of her being a caretaker down the road.
AGREED about Reagan. There are plenty of well known names in Alabama that live low key middle class lives, i.e. members of the Tutwilers. If she had her own money she would have left him quietly and gone on with her life instead of humiliating him and demonizing herself on national tv.
If she still had family money she would be in a much larger Mardi Gras parade for the first episode. Not hating, just pointing out the obvious.
Acknowledging “dementia “ on TV, if that is the case driving is a big liability. My mother is going to the Byrd institute in Tampa.
By going for an appointment and even mild impairment required a special driving test. They were very clear that it could be a major issue if an accident occurred… even if my mother was not at fault. She passed the test but time moves swiftly and a year later 😢.
If they are using this as a story line they are assholes. Serious issue and the sooner it is addressed, there is hope to slow the progression and hundreds of trials. Prayers for you and your mother/family.
If it is real, they should highlight diagnosis and treatment.
I realize that I said go to the store with a lust. Could be lusting after all of the tomato talk but of course I mean list. U’s, I’s, and y’s get mixed up when I send text
I have been known to lust after a pretty tomato myself from time to time. Dont get me started on vibrant green.
Now I need to read that tomato thread again and take a cold shower. Damn you, Muffintop. 😜
It’s really sad that the 2 marriages that there are on this show are kind of a wreck. I really feel badly for Jeff, his career is gone, his wife is kind of cool trolling and petty and his family has fucked him over bad. He seems like a really nice guy in a kind of sad dark place. As for Barry and Tamika, man that woman is an insecure and jealous mess and she is very sure she knows what each and every relationship should be. She should check her expertise at the door. Jon is certainly man candy but he is also an arrogant fuckhead, if he just kept his mouth closed and was just window dressing I’d be all good. I really like Justin, can’t say why but I do. I love seeing the city, it looks amazing.
I really dislike how Reagan treats Jeff. She told him to shut up, she called him crazy when he needed space, she repeatedly sends him the message that there’s something wrong with him and she just has a nasty attitude with him. Yep, Jeff needs help—to get away from her.
I find myself angry at Reagan seeming to believe she knows anything about brain diseases. Unless they have talked to an expert and had scans, every symptom he has can be attributed to high stress with a real beotch for a wife. She is cruel and emasculating. As a care giver of someone who has 3 brain surgeries, I am sorry but Reagan needs to shut her face. Tip to Tamica, out of curiosity what friend blasts her business all over and your business even louder? No real friend at all. Also, some folks are toxic. Cut Reagan out and see how how things are with Barry.
This episode was painful to watch.
Agreed. It was not wise to make the first season so dark. Did they learn nothing from Savannah?
Nope. It’s too bad because I love all the city scenes.
I thought the very same thing! I fell in love with New Orleans when I was there for the jazz festival years ago. Love the music, the food and the history. This show is nothing about that. What it is about is a bunch of snarky – narsassistic people. I can’t watch a show that makes me cringe nearly every minute. Two episodes and I’m officially out! Taking it off my recording list. Yikes!
What about the cookies? I kept expecting the smoke alarm to go off while Tamica and Reagan were talking.
Right? I was waiting for an oven fire.
Thanks for the quick recap TT! I really like this show …. except for Reagan. I’m surprised she is behaving so heinously. Hasn’t she watched other reality tv? Does she’s not realize how terribly she’s will come off? Obviously can’t help herself. I’m hopeful Jeff will be ok as he is already acknowledging his problems he just has to realize that his biggest problem is Reagan.
We may be seeing Reagan behaving at her BEST. Scary … just because her pharmacist ancestor invented Peychard bitters, she thinks SHE is special. She is mostly an entitled bitch. Maybe, just maybe, she will see herself on TV and gain some perspective and compassion. Big maybe. But I haven’t written her off — yet.
Tamica looks like she could be riding off with Prince on his motorcycle. Giving me Vanity vibes!
Maybe Reagan is using CTE as an excuse to get out of the marriage and excuse her awful behavior. Jeff needs a good lawyer and sue his parents. Better to be mad than sad.
I think you’re correct. Too bad she stupidly chose to carry out this plan on TV where all of her awfulness is exposed.
I wish Jeff would sue his parents but I can see where that would be tough for him to because even though they would deserved it I’m sure it’s tough emotionally to sue your parents.
The thing is his parents aren’t treating him like a son or even a family member so he needs to go after them. Disgusting people.
That’s what I said. There must be more to the story bc I would have sued and/or had my parents arrested very quickly.
Omg. I want Jeff! I’ll treat him SO much better then Reagan! (Not that it would be hard to do) She is just vile.
My goodness, poor Jeff! Reagan knows he’s going through a lot, what with his own mother stealing from him, then directing his father to disown him. Why is she piling on? Is there something happening in their relationship that’s not on camera, or is she just a terrible partner?
And gawddammit, I wanted to like Barry. But when someone drops “the other f word”, I lose my shit. Sure, there’s been a lot of progress made the last 30 years, but this is another reminder that LGBTQ+ Americans still have a long way to go to achieve full citizenship and equality. When it comes to any kind of bigotry or xenophobia, I just can’t these days.
I’m really, really trying to like this series but I agree with others on here, it’s too dark. Let us get to know the characters first before we jump into series drama. I think Reagan is looking for her exit ticket… she already has the apartment and is putting all their problems on Jeff. She comes across as a spoiled, entitled rich girl.
It seems like Bravo has been having trouble finding that right balance. On one end we have shows like RHOBH and RHOC, where their last respective seasons were a whole lot of nothing. Then on the other, we have Southern Charm New Orleans storming out the gate with all these horrible, stormy relationships in distress. What do we think is the appropriate amount of heavy drama for a reality show, where it captures our attention without plunging us into depression?
Not saying Jeff doesn’t have CTE but the whole thing was so contrived. They said CTE so much last night, it could have been a drinking game. I’m a New Orleanian and a proud Saints fan. I had no clue who Jeff Charleston was before he showed up on my TV. They might be setting themselves up for a lawsuit against the NFL to replace the money that mama stole. As much as I’d love to see Roger Goodell die a slow and painful death, this could all just be to document his “illness” for future litigation. I mean, Michael Strahan was a defensive lineman and his one job was to hit people and take them down. Yet, he’s on my TV every morning and that man is perfection.
There is already a class action lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of CTE sufferers, I believe.
I’m ready for Below Deck in a few weeks.
Yes!!!!
I was curious about Jeff & Reagan’s beautiful home and while searching, found a newspaper article of property transfers from October 2017 that shows Jeff transferred their property to Reagan as a donation. I’m sure there is some financial reason as to why they would not want the home in his name, but it makes me wonder about their relationship dynamic. She definitely seems to have the upper hand.
HOLY CRAP! She’s devious. Jeff is literally going to be living alone in a cardboard box somewhere very soon.
I know! Poor fella. I hope we’re just catching them at a low point and they’ve worked through all that.
Reagan has so many layers. I just read that she was on American Idol in 2011 and made it to Hollywood. Apparently she’s a really good singer but I can’t find any videos- perhaps the change in networks? Anyhow, she competed as Reagan Tucker (maiden name). I need her to sing a duet with Luanne so I can perhaps like her!!!
Being an attention whore isn’t a new layer, it’s her only layer.
Anyone else starting to wonder if Jeff’s evil family actually stepped in to freeze his assets, or at least sneakily get a hold of them for him, to protect him from Reagan? I wouldn’t be surprised if another side of the story comes out, courtesy of his parents, at some point.
I feel like there is way more to this story.
I hope that’s the case, honestly. Reagan is AWFUL.
I was really digging this series, but I can’t watch Reagan mistreat Jeff. It’s not entertaining and it’s not the fun escapism that I seek when I watch SC and VPR. It’s sad and awful.
I don’t at all agree with the name that Barry called Kway, but I do agree with him defending his wife. Kway was antagonizing both of them.