All’s Fair Recap: Babies on Board

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The second episode of All’s Fair actually feels like an introduction to the characters, more so than the first. We learn that Allura is getting divorced and has brought in Dina, a former mentor, as her lawyer. A common divorce tactic is to consult with many top lawyers to prevent your ex from hiring them, and Allura did just that – except with one lawyer, her rival Carrington Lane. When Allura finally calls Carrington, Carrington taunts her with a cruel remark, but it’s too late – Chase has already hired her.

Allura is currently dealing with relationship problems that feel like a battle. Each of her friends experiences love in a way that reflects their jobs. Liberty, a divorce lawyer, predictably avoids commitment – we see her reject a proposal from her boyfriend even though he’s asking for things to move slowly. Dina offers a contrast; she’s happily married to Ed O’Neill’s character, but is struggling to support him and maintain their connection as he deals with illness. Emerald, on the other hand, doesn’t need a partner, choosing to have triplets through a sperm donor and build the family she wants independently.

This week’s case is particularly upsetting. Elizabeth Berkley is fantastic to watch, and she plays Deandre Barber, an inventor who started a business with her husband. He handled the business side while she created the product. Unfortunately, the companies were deeply in debt, and now she’s left responsible for it all. She’s told that even if she wins any legal battles, she’ll always appear to be involved in her husband’s scheme, and she’ll never escape the consequences. In a devastating moment, she jumps from a balcony. Emerald reacts with shock, exclaiming, “Oh shit!”

The scene shifts to the group celebrating with champagne on a private jet, heading to the auction of Sheila Baskin’s jewelry from the previous episode. While the show hints at social commentary, it’s clear these characters aren’t meant to be the good guys, which is just fine because a true hero arrives to liven things up. At the auction, they unexpectedly encounter Carrington, who playfully nicknames them: Mayor McHead Cheese (referring to Allura), Diane Sawyer (Liberty), Lola Falana (Emerald), and George Washington (Dina). This moment perfectly captures what makes this show so enjoyable. Sarah Paulson is clearly channeling her inner Sue Sylvester, and it’s fantastic. Ryan Murphy seems to have rediscovered the witty writing style he used for Jane Lynch, and now Paulson gets to deliver hilariously cutting lines to Glenn Close, comparing her to an outdated workhorse. This dynamic is the highlight of the show, and it promises a wonderfully entertaining courtroom battle filled with over-the-top insults.

Emerald’s investigation in California uncovers a shocking secret: Chase is having an affair with Milan. Interestingly, the scene is filled with visual references – Emerald is dressed in the iconic light-blue suit and hat from Dumb and Dumber, and Allura looks like she stepped out of a Dune film. Dina urges Allura to seek revenge, and Allura’s simple reply of “Yes, Mother” suggests the show’s scenes were intentionally crafted to become popular Instagram memes.

Dina decides to confront Deandre’s ex-husband about the scam he ran on his late wife, threatening to turn him in with the evidence she’s gathered, which could land him in prison for a decade. However, she offers him a deal: if he repays everyone he owes and gives Deandre’s share of the company to her family, she’ll drop the matter. This is the third time they’ve easily resolved a case, making for a rather unexciting outcome for viewers.

So far, Allura’s divorce is the most detailed and dramatic case we’ve seen. It’s full of over-the-top moments, like when she discovers her partner’s affair. She drives to her partner’s house, and it’s clearly her car – the license plate literally says her name. In a fantasy sequence, Allura, wearing a yellow dress and carrying a baseball bat, smashes the car like Beyoncé in her “Hold Up” video or a scene from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. But it turns out to be just a daydream. In reality, she confronts her partner without the bat, trying to explain that she admired her so much she wanted to be her – to be the star instead of just someone following in her footsteps. The drama then escalates when her partner reveals she’s pregnant with another man’s baby – a predictable twist, really.

This episode starts with a surprisingly relaxed scene of the lawyers chatting about their go-to beauty treatments and self-care routines. Kim really shines in this moment, which isn’t surprising—she’s clearly comfortable discussing topics like aging, how bodies change, and what people think. This lighthearted conversation naturally leads into the main focus of the episode and the challenges the characters face.

Jessica Simpson plays LeeAnn, a woman married to a famous rock star. Their seemingly perfect relationship fell apart as she approached her 40th birthday. He began criticizing her appearance and pressured her into having numerous, drastic plastic surgeries, blaming her aging for his own cheating. He even found a surgeon, known as “The Butcher of Beverly Hills,” who would perform any procedure he requested on her.

During a meeting, Emerald learns about another of Chase’s affairs and has to tell Allura that he also cheated with a transgender sex worker named Maria (played by Hari Nef). Both Allura and Milan decide to get tested for STIs, realizing they both had relations with the same unfaithful person. However, the timing feels strange, especially since Allura already knew Chase had cheated with other women, but discovering his relationship with a transgender woman prompted her immediate trip to the clinic. The show relies on this problematic storyline without acknowledging its issues. The reason for them getting tested together is also weak – Allura claims the doctor isn’t accepting new patients until 2040, despite the fact she could go anywhere. This seems like a contrived way to force a bonding moment so Milan would reveal Chase’s interest in a strap-on. At least they’re practicing safe sex!

During Allura’s divorce negotiations, Dina tries to blackmail Chase by bringing up his relationship with Maria. The show acknowledges the problematic nature of everyone’s actions, and Carrington defends Chase, rightly pointing out there’s no shame in being with a transgender woman – even comparing Dina to J.K. Rowling if she disagrees. It’s surprising to find myself siding with the show’s supposed villain! Carrington is surprisingly progressive, using it as a tactic against her already unlikeable enemies. Though she also makes a harsh threat about Allura’s frozen embryos, it seems Allura’s lawyer should have secured a better IVF contract initially. Carrington is willing to be ruthless – even calling herself unpleasant – to get what she wants.

Maria tells Chase that Allura tried to get her involved, but she’s refusing. She plans to completely ignore Allura and pretend nothing happened. In return, she wants a very public date with Chase after everything calms down – not for herself, but to help her community gain acceptance and credibility with a large audience. It’s a surprising turn for Matthew Noszka, considering his controversial views expressed on social media.

Despite winning LeeAnn a large settlement, the lawyers discovered she still struggled with intense anger. She tracked down her ex-boyfriend and his new date at a restaurant and violently attacked him with acid – a dramatic scene that allowed Jessica Simpson to showcase her acting skills. This incident also led to a discussion about Allura’s own anger issues.

Allura copes with her own loss by helping Milan prepare for a baby, something she fears she’ll never experience herself due to issues with her frozen embryos. After sharing this with Milan, she has a moment of defiance and decides to take matters into her own hands. She impulsively plans to forge Chase’s signature on legal documents and have two of their embryos implanted without his knowledge or permission. It’s baffling that a lawyer would act this way! Honestly, the show feels like it starts with a shocking climax and builds the story backward. What we need is constant, uninterrupted coverage of the drama unfolding on Carrington Lane!

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2025-11-05 03:55