The Valley Recap: Screams from a Marriage

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One of the fantastic aspects of a movie such as “Marriage Story” lies in its ability to draw you into a disintegrating relationship. It feels authentic, personal, intriguing, almost to the point where it seems ordinary. Watching it is like spying on your neighbor’s dispute, leaving you curious about what truly transpires beyond closed doors.

Consider the scenario of a place, authentically existing, similar to The Valley you’re familiar with. In this case, we find Jax and Brittany embroiled in an authentic argument – a man who’s squandered his life and family, against a woman frustrated over marrying a man as an escape from her small town, only to be deceived by him and the reality TV illusion he presented. This is not a fabricated or imagined storyline; it’s the dreamy promise of movies made tangible. However, now that we have this ‘dream come true’, it feels distressingly like yesterday’s cold Taco Bell leftovers – I can hardly wait to be rid of it, and frankly, it’s making me feel quite queasy.

In the climactic final scene when I visited Brittany to discuss our boundaries and how I could help her in a way that would allow me to see “my son,” it was clear to me that my perspective might be skewed. Perhaps Jax has never referred to that boy by his legal name, or maybe Cruz exists solely as an extension of Jax’s control over another human being.

Jax visits the home they once shared together, now seemingly devoid of his presence, with all his personal items, photos, and hockey memorabilia gone. As Brittany remarks, this is exactly what she intended; he no longer resides there, but Jax struggles to accept that he’s been effectively eliminated from that location. In a confessional, he expresses confusion about the need for lawyers in their divorce proceedings. He wonders why they can’t simply part ways as friends. However, it’s worth noting, Jax, that you may be unaware of this, but your behavior – petty, vindictive, self-centered, and focused solely on winning – is the very reason she requires legal assistance. Of course, you might not see the need for lawyers since you believe you can win in any situation.

In a recurring sentiment during this discussion as well as others, Jax expresses disbelief towards Brittany for seemingly discarding ten years of their relationship in an instant. However, it seems to me that Jax was actually eroding their relationship from the very beginning. Each instance of him speaking negatively about Brittany, each time he was unfaithful, and every moment he prioritized himself over their union, he was effectively destroying what they had. It’s important to note that this downfall is largely due to Jax’s actions, which he finds hard to accept.

As the conversation intensifies, Brittany confronts him, stating that she repeatedly pleaded with him to seek help, attend therapy, and quit his destructive habits like drinking and drug use. He claims to be addressing these issues now. However, Brittany responds by saying, “It’s too late,” emphasizing that Jax has already caused irreparable damage to their family.

I have significant issues with Jax’s behavior, particularly his treatment of Michelle. It’s understandable to portray a villainous role in a divorce like Jesse did, but what Jax does goes beyond that. He intentionally makes Michelle’s life miserable and refuses to give her any leeway. Despite this, at least he’s honest about it. However, what makes him even more despicable is his tendency to play the victim. This is the only role he seems to know. He claims Brittany is throwing things away, that she keeps their son from him, and that she’s mean to him every time they communicate. Yet, it’s absurd for Jax to claim victimhood because we’ve witnessed his behavior towards Brittany over the past decade. We saw him speak about her in a degrading manner, belittle her as a mother when she drank, and cheat on her while lying next to an elderly woman. (Again, I’m embellishing for effect, but you all know it’s essentially true.) It’s ludicrous for him to act like he’s being wronged when we’ve seen him wronging Brittany consistently throughout the years.

Brittany subsequently expresses one of the harshest yet seemingly fair statements I’ve encountered between people: “I won’t allow Cruz to resemble you in any way, and you should feel the same.” This is what makes Jax stand out – he isn’t merely unpleasant; he’s hazardous. He’s like pouring acid onto metal or dropping Mentos into a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke. Toxic, his presence will corrode and spoil anything and everyone he comes into contact with.

Despite all that has transpired, it’s clear that Jax won’t alter his behavior. He maintains that he is blameless, and he has reinterpreted the events to suit himself. He portrays himself as a loving, supportive father, while labeling his ex-wife as irrational and unjustly keeping their son from him. As the conflict subsides, Brittany requests that Jax cover half of Cruz’s medical expenses. Despite this, he is countering with demands; he wants to prevent Brittany from gaining full custody (which he misunderstands, thinking it means he will be cut off from his son’s life permanently). He threatens to seek alimony because Brittany earns more than he does, even though moments ago he was begging her not to harm their son’s relationship with his father. This man, who just implored her not to damage the boy’s bond with his dad, is now using their financial issues as a weapon. I can’t stand to see him on my screen any longer and hope never to encounter him or that annoying little beard again.

In the episode, this particular scene stood out as the most interesting part, with not much else happening. Another notable event was when Janet, who has mostly been shunned by others except Michelle and Scheana, joined Jason to get tattoos under their wedding rings. This is a continuous ring design that gives the appearance of always wearing a wedding band. Viewers find this behavior unacceptable, especially from Janet (though it seems Jason might also be involved). They view it as an unnecessary and awkward stunt, as changing one’s body permanently over a minor storyline on a reality show is seen as excessive.

In their words, “We won’t have to worry about him going out without his wedding ring anymore,” they joked, chuckling as they got inked. However, this permanent solution addresses a temporary issue. Even if the series The Valley continues to run for 20 years and remains popular, few will remember this storyline, but that tattoo will still be visible, almost as if it’s mocking them.

Janet and Jason subsequently engage in a deeply emotional discussion about how the program has influenced them personally and as a pairing, yet this dialogue, similar to a tattoo, is not intended to persuade or debate others. Janet expresses her distress over the abrasive remarks about her on social media platforms. What particularly pains her is the continual doubt cast upon why Jason would be with her. She admits to questioning whether there was something flawed in Jason that he found appealing, fearing one day he’d realize all the negative aspects about her that people frequently highlight online.

It’s truly unfortunate to experience such harsh emotions, and it’s disappointing when fans cross the line with their treatment towards her. I believe that some of the cruel remarks, even regarding Janet, can exceed acceptable limits, particularly when they target her looks and personal life. Ironically, I too engage in similar activities on Al Gore’s internet.

Just like Janet, I find it frustrating when people criticize her for being a fan, as if that’s somehow negative. However, intriguingly, she alleges that Kristen uses the comments against her. Here, fans are accusing Janet of spending too much time in the comments section, and she is not refuting these claims by simply sitting there and voicing complaints about the comments instead.

The issue fans have with Janet lies in her perceived lack of authenticity. She’s not necessarily a bad person, but her actions and behaviors often appear contrived rather than genuine. Her interactions on reality television seem more like calculated moves than spontaneous moments, reminiscent of solving an algebra problem. If Janet could simply be herself and avoid creating unnecessary drama, she might find greater success. The quirky, unconventional side of her, such as enjoying trips to Dave & Buster’s or eating hot dogs, is endearing, but there’s a sense that she doesn’t fully accept herself and is reluctant to show vulnerability on television. I understand her apprehension, but displaying more genuine moments could help smooth out the harsh edges of the TV persona she’s cultivated, which currently seems to be falling flat with viewers.

Instead of continually discussing the various monsters in The Valley, let’s shift our focus to the true angel on this show – Nia. She stands out as one of Bravo’s finest, a loyal friend, a steadfast partner, and someone who has endured numerous hardships yet remains optimistic. It was heart-wrenching to see her visit a plastic surgeon’s office, expressing her dissatisfaction with her current body image, constantly comparing herself to how she looked in the past. We do catch glimpses of her in a bikini during the Miss USA pageant, and if I were to age like that, I’d find it challenging too. Honestly, for a moment there, I wasn’t straight anymore when I saw her. Wow!

Prior to her visit to the doctor’s office, we had already seen her at home, in the kitchen with Danny and their son. They were playfully acting as wolves and howling at the moon. In her casual attire – a plain tank top and grey sweatpants – without any makeup, she exuded an effortless beauty that left me thinking, “That woman is attractive even when lounging in her comfortable clothes.” It was heartbreaking to witness her tears in the doctor’s office as he discussed the alleged “severe harm” breastfeeding had on her breasts.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve found myself often comparing my body to the flawless figures that grace the silver screen. I’ve wished, time and again, that I looked as stunning as the Instagram models or magazine cover stars, like the captivating Nia from ‘The Valley.’ But here’s the thing – even Nia feels inadequate about herself, just like many of us do. It’s an all-too-common struggle, a battle we can’t seem to escape. If this isn’t enough to put an end to our self-criticism and unfair comparisons, I’m not sure what else could. Perhaps it’s time to let go of the fight for perfection that seems unattainable.

Let me express it this way: Nia, I wish for you to truly understand how stunning you are. I aspire for you to perceive yourself as Danny sees you, as Kristen does, and as all of us at home do each week. I want that profound realization to bubble up from within you, shining brightly like a luminous cosmic orb, not to change your physical appearance but to illuminate your mind instead. The beauty you radiated during Miss USA is remarkable, but it’s the least of your concerns. You are more than that—you are strength, grace, and resilience personified.

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2025-07-16 05:56