Selling Sunset Recap: I’m Going to Get Murdered

As a long-time viewer of this reality show, I must say that this season has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions! Watching Chelsea deal with her husband’s infidelity seems all too familiar – it’s like watching a replay of her past struggles, only this time around she appears to be handling it with more grace and maturity. It’s clear that Bre brought the news to Chelsea out of concern, not malice, which makes it easier for me to empathize with Chelsea’s situation.

Unlike other reality shows that stretch out their narratives over multiple hours (I must admit, I’m puzzled as to how viewers can juggle watching Love Island and keeping a day job), Selling Sunset can be devoured in a few hours during an afternoon session. It’s like a quick, dense information bite, with minimal scene transitions and hardly any flashbacks. However, the show’s conciseness, while beneficial, also poses challenges. Episodes like “Sitting on a Secret” and “Once Alanna Time in the West,” from season eight, are rich in details but can sometimes be frustrating because they require viewers to do a lot of the background work. The show could make our lives easier by providing a few more screen captures of the things being discussed, as context is crucial!

Initially, let’s discuss Nicole, an individual who has only one admirer, due to my continued existence. I find myself drawn to her because I have a peculiar affinity for individuals with a troubled past. Nicole is enigmatic and uncomfortable, and recently, the mobile game version of “Selling Sunset” (now accessible on your local app store) served as a reminder of an intriguing aspect about Nicole’s life: her dog went missing (or possibly stolen) in Echo Park! She embodies a sense of tragedy and is perpetually mourning, much like Mary, but with a sinister undertone. It’s easy to understand why fans dislike her, yet without her presence, the show becomes a bland, polished spectacle where people exchange pleasantries while Bre delivers veiled threats. Nicole’s conflict is crucial in generating the tension that makes this series feel authentic and relatable. Only she could transform an ordinary “congratulations” group chat into something emotional, culminating in her tears amidst the office.

In response to learning their show had been nominated for a GLAAD award, Chrishell shared a message in their group chat that Amanza clarified to Jason (and us) contained a subtle jab at Nicole for attempting to spread negativity. If you missed the lengthy reunion (an event that takes place weeks after the show ends and is often dull), don’t keep tabs on each cast member through Google alerts, or rarely visit the sub-Reddit, you might not be aware of what Chrishell was alluding to in this context.

To put it simply, if you’re here for clarification, let me break it down: It seems that last year, Nicole responded “Thanks!!” to a derogatory comment on Instagram that was homophobic in nature. Although she stated that she apologized during the reunion, we did not observe this apology. Instead, we witnessed her appearing unaware of why the comment was offensive (it referred to Chrishell as “that lesbian chick,” which is incorrect and disrespectful towards G Flip, who identifies as nonbinary). Jason described Nicole as being “stubborn” and difficult to educate, suggesting that she struggles to let go of disputes. This highlights one significant issue with her: She often fails to recognize when it’s time to move on.

In response to Chrishell’s text jab, Nicole writes an extended reprimand to everyone, accusing them of enabling her obnoxious behavior. This lengthy message is then shared, causing Chelsea to request removal from the group chat and Bre responding with laughter. This exchange elevates these episodes to a 4-star rating. Maya’s sudden reappearance seems like a desperate attempt by Jason and Brett to stop Nicole, and it somewhat succeeds. In a joint effort, Jason, Brett, and Maya help Nicole, much like three labor coaches, guide her through delivering a long-overdue apology to Chrishell. This apology, delivered on TV with tears, signals Nicole’s disavowal of homophobia. The peace between them is particularly relieving as they are all scheduled to go to Pioneertown later.

Oh, you’re curious about Pioneertown! It’s a place that holds special significance for Alanna because it’s where she had her first date with and eventually married her husband, and they now own it. Essentially, it’s an old-western movie set in Joshua Tree that doubles as a shopping destination, likely providing some sort of tax benefit. However, it’s also the haunting ground for a ghost named Zach who frequently pesters groups of women with his questionable pickup line: “Are we all taken?” If you answer yes to this, he moves on; if you answer no, he becomes more persistent. In this case, Amanza is smartly saving herself for Trevor Noah. Despite her refusal, Zach continues to prowl the streets of Pioneertown, adding an eerie and uncomfortable vibe to an already tense trip: The humor about murder, the free-roaming men with their inquiries, and the fact that half the group didn’t even show up make it clear from the start that something just isn’t quite right.

Chrishell, Emma, Chelsea, and Bre won’t be joining the trip because an unexpected situation arose regarding Bre’s husband. Apparently, he was seen kissing a young woman in the lobby of the W hotel by the Christmas tree. This is why Chelsea decided not to go on the trip. Emma and Chrishell are staying behind to support her. As for Bre, she didn’t accept the invite to Pioneertown, possibly feeling superior. However, let me clarify something to you, Bre: True wealth and influence don’t lead one to scorn opportunities that allow a glimpse into the lives of the rural working class. In fact, even Marie Antoinette had her own version of Pioneertown. Indeed.

Bre appears genuinely distressed as she discloses her husband’s infidelity to Chelsea, and it seems convincing due to Chelsea’s trust in Bre and the belief that she hasn’t shared this information for malicious reasons. Additionally, Bre’s reference to her own past experiences with infidelty – a significant part of her backstory – adds authenticity to her emotional state, implying that she isn’t enjoying someone else’s pain.

One thing I wonder is if the cheating wasn’t exactly news to Chelsea. Her reaction feels more like she’s experiencing an on-TV reality check than learning wholly new information. Also, her husband is kissing people in public in Los Angeles after appearing on television with his wife, so he can’t possibly care much about being discovered. I mean, they were in the lobby! All they had to do was go upstairs!! Maybe he’s just that stupid, but this begs the question of whether everyone already knew Chelsea’s marriage was on the rocks — Mary has already suggested she’s “going through something” — and Bre is simply bringing it to camera. My only evidence for this is that these episodes appear to have been filmed around February of this year, and Chelsea filed for divorce in March. That feels quick! But Chelsea seems like a person who is unafraid to do what she wants. While that has led her to do some incredibly mean and messy things on this show in the past, she’s clearly grown a lot. She carries herself through these episodes like a woman whom life has humbled but can’t humiliate, making amends with both her enemies, Mary and Bre, with her apparent new mantra: “We’re all the same.”

Nicole returns, noticeably changed and determined to make her presence known. In one of the most peculiar scenes I’ve ever come across, she subtly drops a bombshell at their Pioneertown banquet, hinting that Emma might be involved with someone who is already married. This revelation is veiled in a conversation where Nicole claims she won’t mention something everyone already knows. It isn’t until Amanza catches on that Nicole tries to prompt Mary to recall the information they discovered together on Thanksgiving, which seems connected to Orange County and a woman named Jenn. Nicole implies that this mystery could have significant consequences for families, relationships, and Emma’s standing in society.

This is the incredible weirdness Nicole brings, and I do just love it. She uses a sort of childlike logic in social situations that I just find so amusing. It’s like she thinks if she repeatedly says that she’s not saying something, in between saying that thing over and over again, it doesn’t count. She’s on base! She’s safe! It does get eventually annoying — I do wish she had the chutzpah to just openly wreak havoc instead of immediately trying to act like a victim — but hey, at least she’s trying something. Without this awkward reveal, there’s basically no reason for us to even see them on this trip. No offense, Alanna, Pioneertown is obviously a very special place for you, but revealing a secret affair at dinner is what separates the Emmy-nominated reality docusoaps from the infomercial/travel shows you wake up to if you fall asleep watching Saturday Night Live.

Unlisted Observations

• Things We Learned About Alanna: She was a dancer and a model, which we pretty much already knew because she looks like that.

Among the many things I admire, one stands out: my unwavering appreciation for Amanza leveraging her platform to advocate for a relationship with Trevor Noah.

Nicole’s question about punishing the citizens of Pioneertown led me to understand that she resembles a clumsy Disney antagonist, with her sidekick often accidentally pressing the wrong button or making the wrong decision.

To express my concern, let me rephrase it this way: It’s troubling, indeed, when Bre implies she’s not close to women, especially since clarifying the meaning of such a statement seems necessary for Chrishell.

• Mary’s boob exploded and she still went to Pioneertown.

2024-09-07 02:54

Selling Sunset Recap: I’m Going to Get Murdered

Unlisted Observations

Read More

Minority Mindset