Summer House Season-Finale Recap: Breaking Up Baby

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Two instances in this episode touched my heart, even the most frozen of iceboxes. The first was during the closing scene of the grand finale celebration. Instead of a bed, Amanda, Ciara, and Paige – known as the Bed-Sore Sisters – gathered around our ultimate beds: a coffin. They expressed their affection for each other and how they’ll miss their sisterhood now that summer is ending. Amanda even mentioned she might not experience seasonal depression after all; instead, it’s the absence of her friends during the rest of the year that brings sadness. It was the most heartwarming moment from a rather average party.

I must apologize to West, Jesse (I’m unsure of the correct spelling), and the rest of the crew for my disappointment with their event. While it seems well-intentioned, the theme appears vague and I’m struggling to understand the choice of a “scary” party at this time of year. It almost feels like an early Halloween celebration. As for the costumes, most could use improvement except for Lindsay’s clever interpretation of The Handmaid’s Tale, which wonderfully incorporates her pregnancy. I also admired wacky Auntie Danielle’s creative take on Patricia Bateman, a refreshing twist on a classic character. In comparison, Jesse’s portrayal of Patrick Bateman fell flat, particularly since it seems to be the go-to costume for every handsome man. It’s unfortunate that even in costume, Jesse can’t shake off the allegations. Poor guy…

A cherished moment from the show’s finale was when a series of dates appeared on screen. On December 4, it was revealed that Lindsay went to the hospital alone (though she wasn’t truly alone as cameras accompanied her in the elevator). On December 5, she gave birth to an incredibly cute baby girl named Gemma. Fast forward to December 30, Paige announced her separation from Craig on her podcast. Lastly, on January 21, Paige and Amanda paid a visit to Lindsay’s place. Arriving first was Paige, which I hope is a sign for our Summer House gang. Lindsay seemed happier than ever with her new role as a mother, but also acknowledged the challenges that come with taking care of an infant. Paige appeared more successful and beautiful than ever in black leather pants, even impressing Sutton Stracke’s fashion standards. Despite their history of Lindsay teasing Paige and Paige weathering the storm that is Lindsay, they have now reached a mutual respect and understanding. I couldn’t be more content with this development.

When Amanda makes an appearance, Lindsay guides her towards a sleeping baby, and just seeing that infant stirs something deep within Amanda. This moment holds immense significance, given our long-standing friendship, which once required a 17-page email from Kyle detailing Lindsay’s kindness and the camaraderie among the cast towards Amanda. And that’s not even mentioning Amanda’s recent wavering feelings about motherhood; for her to partake in Lindsay’s joy is priceless beyond words. Frankly, I’m not tearing up – you are!

From the scene, it’s not surprising news for fans who have closely tracked the ups and downs of Paige and Craig’s relationship. Paige claims that while Craig asserted he bought a ring, she isn’t convinced it ever existed, given Craig’s reputation for truth-bending. Furthermore, when online critics accused her of infidelity, which supposedly led to their split, she requested him to release a statement denying the allegations, but he declined. She stated that was their last interaction.

Lindsay explains that she and Turner might have parted ways if not for their baby, since she’s a public figure and he’s very private. She didn’t want to compromise on this aspect. However, Lindsay becomes more open, not only breastfeeding in front of others but also giving them shots of breast milk, which is unusual for the show Summer House. Despite the slightly off-putting milk drinking, I found it heartwarming. It was wonderful to see them all bonding, with everyone laughing and getting along. This season concludes much like the last one, with the women gathering around Lindsay, but this time it’s to celebrate her success instead of helping her through a painful breakup with Carl.

In her captivating article for Vulture on the show “Summer House,” Rebecca Jennings points out that the female friendships among the cast members have become central to the series. These friendships, such as when they laugh together by a coffin, are incredibly appealing, providing a vital and nurturing energy in women’s lives that is irreplaceable. However, the show remains populated with men, and it sometimes feels like these men are overly focused on being masculine, which can make it challenging for me to appreciate their male presence, as their antics tend to detract from the overall appeal of the series. (I may have carried this linguistic exploration a bit too far.)

In this episode, Jesse Solomon portrays the misbehavior of the boys as Jexi’s downfall progresses. The discussion from Lindsay’s Freedom Dinner, which we left off in the last episode, revolves around the women and their friendships. Lexi accuses Jesse of driving a wedge between the girls and limiting her own relationships within the house. However, Paige defends Jesse, suggesting that it wasn’t intentional but did occur nonetheless. Ciara points out an interesting observation: while West had time to develop relationships with everyone in the house during their previous summer, Lexi didn’t reciprocate. This was somewhat surprising as even Ciara gave West a compliment. Lexi admits that she could have told Jesse off and spent more time with the girls, but she chose not to.

Later at Jesse’s peculiar gathering, the duo clash once more in the kitchen, repeating a cycle of accusations that we’ve witnessed for weeks. They both blame each other for tarnishing their respective reputations, and it appears they’re both correct. Is it necessary to reexamine this? Should we delve into who is right and who is wrong, who caused what to whom?

There could be numerous perspectives on their situation. Perhaps Jesse is a skilled manipulator who finally found the woman he’s always desired but felt too insecure to keep, leading him to smother her and deceive her to maintain their relationship. Alternatively, it might all be Jesse’s fault for his actions towards Lexi, such as being overbearing and lying about inviting Ciara to the U.S. Open despite knowing it upset Lexi. On the other hand, maybe Lexi was sending mixed signals by saying she only wanted to hang out but getting angry when Jesse invited Ciara, or perhaps she tried to secure her reality career by dating one of the guys but they didn’t work out and now she’s resentful about not connecting with the other women. It’s also possible that their entire relationship was for show, with Jesse hoping to gain more screen time and fame from having a girlfriend, or Lexi aiming to solidify her career by dating one of the guys but finding they weren’t compatible. The truth might be a combination of these factors, as well as other unseen events that could both absolve and incriminate them both.

The main point here is that the issues between Jesse and Lexi, and perhaps others in the show, are complex and not easily judged. As Paige explains affectionately to Jesse following the Freedom Dinner, they may have moved too quickly and aggressively, leading to a public fallout. Similarly, when Jesse confronts Lexi in the kitchen, he argues that he didn’t intend to belittle her publicly, stating that he was just discussing their relationship with friends on a reality TV show. This could suggest carelessness, a trait often associated with immaturity rather than malicious intent.

It is important to remember that these individuals are putting their private lives on display for our entertainment. Should we not then extend them the same forgiveness and understanding we would hope to receive for our own youthful mistakes? Instead of labeling or diagnosing them, shouldn’t we accept that they are young people making errors, just as any other young person might in similar circumstances?

If we cannot offer them this compassion, one must question why anyone would even decide to appear on these shows. Just like the show itself centers around conflicts and resolutions, so too should our approach be towards the individuals featured on it. Can’t we all move forward, forgive their mistakes, and recognize that if placed in the same situation, with fame, hormones, money, and attention at play, we might not handle things any differently? In essence, can’t we admit that we too are capable of making errors for which we would seek forgiveness? If this is something we cannot do, then one must ask oneself why anyone would even consider joining a reality TV show in the first place.

In conclusion, let us strive to approach these individuals with empathy and understanding, recognizing that they are young people making mistakes, just as any other young person might. Let us remember that we too have made youthful indiscretions for which we hope to be forgiven, and extend the same compassion to those on reality TV shows.

As a devoted cinephile, let me share my take on that intriguing dialogue: Jesse and Lexi’s exchange felt like they were stepping out of the movie we were watching, and nothing could top the candid chat between veterans Kyle, Lindsay, and Auntie Danielle in the party’s backyard. Kyle mused aloud, “To be honest, I could keep living this lifestyle,” hinting at more than just partying in the Hamptons but also maintaining a reality show presence. He then posed the question to Lindsay about her ability to carry on given her impending motherhood. Danielle chimed in, querying if this marked the end of their summer abode and the ‘Summer House’ series. When Lindsay suggested it didn’t have to be, there was a hint of apprehension rather than certainty in her voice. She voiced concerns about what this change might mean for her personal identity, financial stability, and ability to support her upcoming daughter without reality television. Danielle, always insightful when it comes to Lindsay, remarked, “If you don’t think this isn’t an ending, then you’re delusional.

Although our minds and situations can evolve over time, Lindsay humorously notes that every parent claims to have never experienced such deep love until they had their own child – a sentiment she once dismissed as nonsense. After sharing a midday Champagne toast with Paige and Amanda, the sound of her baby stirring in the next room signals the end of nap time tranquility. Soon, there will be cries, feedings, burping, spitting up, fussing, playing, laughter, bath time, and the struggle to get the baby to sleep through the night. Lindsay asks the girls to leave, gently closing the door to minimize any noise that might wake the newborn. She approaches the nursery door, gazing at her baby through the Lucite bars of the crib. Her pristine bundle of joy, something she had unknowingly sought, now fills her completely. She can hardly envision being separated from her, not even for a weekend, not even for all the rosé, sandwiches, and events that the Hamptons offer. In her thoughts, Lindsay ponders, Perhaps Danielle was correct, but she knows something Danielle doesn’t – something she may never come to understand: She was delusional for not realizing this wasn’t just an ending, but also a new beginning.

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2025-05-22 06:57