Southern Charm Recap: Buying the Farm

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Out of all the amazing places featured on these travel shows, Whitney’s family farm, Itchy Grass, is the one I’d most love to stay at. The main house is beautiful, the pool is picture-perfect, and all the little cottages are charming – even the ones decorated with slightly spooky, rusty knives, presumably to ward off donkey spirits and snakes! Shep’s room above the barn looks incredible too – it really takes the phrase ‘roll in the hay’ to a new level (though I hope there isn’t actually any hay!). I can’t find Itchy Grass listed for rent anywhere, so I’m officially putting in a request for an invitation.

Despite the Slagsvol family being welcoming, this episode mainly focuses on the relationships between Austen and Salley, and Craig and Charley – it feels like a low-budget version of the film Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. The day after Austen’s terrible birthday dinner, which seems to have ended his friendship with Craig, Austen spends the afternoon with his cats and then calls Madison to talk things through. He tells Madison he’s no longer concerned about fixing things with Craig, and also reveals he’s broken up with Audrey. However, the show saves this news to share with Venita and Rodrigo later, during a car ride to the farm, maximizing the dramatic impact.

This all makes us question the order of events. When exactly did he end things with Audrey? Was it after the argument at Rodrigo’s party, or on his birthday? If it was before or during his birthday, why didn’t he mention it when Craig brought her up? Did she even buy him a birthday gift that she never got to give him? If he broke up with her after the dinner, did he finally take Shep and Craig’s advice and end the relationship? It’s possible a lot of Craig’s concerns about their friendship wouldn’t matter if he’d broken up with Audrey earlier.

The main thing people talk about with Austen and Craig is their strained relationship. They arrived at the farm in different cars, intentionally kept their distance while there, and even stayed in separate cabins, suggesting they needed some space. However, Rodrigo believes they’ll reconcile, stating, “They’re inseparable. They’ll have to return to Brokeback Mountain to resolve their issues.”

The car rides reveal some clear divisions. Austen, Venita, and Rodrigo discuss Austen’s arguments with Craig, her split from Audrey, and Craig’s relationship with Charley. Molly, Charley, and Salley – along with a playful jab at Salley’s spelling – cover the same ground. Meanwhile, Shep, Whitner, and Craig seem to be talking about… who knows? Surfing, golf, or maybe just comfortable shoes. Honestly, it’s all a bit much.

Beyond the LIV Golf discussion, the episode focuses on the relationships between the cast members. We’ve already covered Austen and Craig, so now it’s Austen’s split with Audrey – which most viewers predicted. Austen explains he felt something was missing, but it wasn’t Audrey’s fault, making it a particularly difficult breakup because there’s no animosity between them. The conversation quickly shifts to what this means for Austen and Salley, who seems determined to pursue a relationship even if it means drastic measures. When Austen calls Salley to chat, Audrey’s name comes up, and Austen says he needs to talk to Salley about it. Salley immediately starts planning their future together – envisioning a house, a wedding, and even baby names. It’s a bit much, especially considering this all seems to stem from her willingness to do anything for Craig, even if it involves… questionable practices.

Salley was quick to ask about Austen and Audrey’s relationship as soon as she heard something might be up. She repeatedly questioned everyone who arrived at the farm, starting with Venita, about whether they had broken up, even jokingly blaming it on a silly sacrifice. Venita pretended not to know, which was odd because she clearly did. When Madison arrived, Salley immediately asked the same question, excitedly focusing on any relationship drama. Madison confirmed the breakup and revealed Austen wanted to keep it a secret. Given Salley’s reputation as the biggest gossip, Madison knew the news would spread rapidly – faster than an outbreak, really.

Salley is a bit of a troublemaker, and honestly, the show needs her! Without her, things would get pretty boring. She’s also mixed up in Craig and Charley’s budding romance. While their date went great, Salley is actively trying to ruin things. She told Charley that Craig confided in her, saying Charley already has feelings for him and that he doesn’t want to be in a relationship, hoping to drive a wedge between them.

Okay, so here’s my take on this whole messy situation. It seems like a crucial piece of information – something Shep supposedly said – is constantly shifting and we never actually hear it directly from him. That leads me to believe one of two things is going on. Either Salley completely fabricated the story out of spite for Charley and Craig, or it’s a classic case of miscommunication – a total game of telephone. I can easily picture Craig, still reeling from his split with Paige, expressing his hesitancy about jumping into something new, worried about hurting someone if his feelings aren’t fully there. And honestly, despite all his flaws (and believe me, I have opinions!), Craig seems genuinely considerate of women’s feelings. Shep, in his own way – and likely mispronouncing a word or two – probably relayed a distorted version of what Craig said to Salley, maybe because he was distracted by golf. Then, Salley twisted it even further and presented it to Charley as if she was just trying to be a good friend. It’s a tangled web, but that’s how I see it playing out.

I think the second explanation makes the most sense, but Salley is really confusing me. She keeps saying she’s protecting Charley from Craig, but it feels like a double standard. Venita warned her about Craig when she was dating him, and Salley didn’t listen then. Now she’s saying the same thing to Charley! Salley has personal experience with Craig that Venita didn’t, but the core message is identical. It’s ironic because while they’re arguing, Craig casually walks by and encourages them to keep talking about him! Salley also claims to know Charley better than Craig, which is exactly what Venita said about Craig! Salley wanted to learn things for herself back then, so why isn’t she letting Charley do the same now? Maybe she’s just frustrated that she ignored Venita and is now worried Charley will repeat her mistake. Honestly, Salley is complicated, but I’m here for the drama.

Following a day of competition and grilling, everyone went back to their cabins. Rodrigo and Austen are sharing a cabin—and, according to Rodrigo, even a bed. They walked outside and sat close together on chairs overlooking a greenish pond. Austen jokingly referred to it as “Brokeback Pond,” a nod to a famous movie. As evening fell, they sat with their hands almost touching, and Austen wondered if he should make a move. He’d recently ended things with the person he truly loved—the one he pictured in his future, even during everyday moments—and was starting to consider what life could be like now. Just then, his ex-boyfriend, Craig, approached, looking incredibly attractive in his jeans, and asked to talk, making Austen question everything all over again.

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2026-02-05 06:55