The Real Housewives of Atlanta Recap: Jab Jabs and Kikis

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A break often doesn’t strengthen a group’s bond; it can sometimes strain it further – unless you consider trauma bonding, then any Real Housewives trip, like the one to Puerto Rico, would certainly qualify. However, Grenada presents a refreshing rebirth for the Atlanta ladies in terms of their interactions. While I might be overusing the four-star rating, I am thrilled to have lighthearted enjoyment returned to RHOA. Admittedly, watching the women dance suggestively with Caribbean men isn’t entirely innocent, and there’s a bit too much discussion about Cynthia’s private parts for my taste. But the humor is back in the series, and it’s the type of humor that Black franchises excel at: gossiping and joking around.

In its heyday, no one excelled more at banter and wordplay than “RHOA,” and this is hardly surprising since trash-talking has a rich history in the Black community, with roots traced back to West African cultures. As one scholar noted, these topics of jest are often taboo in other social settings. We engage in it to strengthen bonds, entertain, argue, and as some suggest, it’s a mental exercise, requiring quick wit and intelligence. Activist Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin likened our propensity for trash-talking to white people playing Scrabble. This communicative style is deeply ingrained in us, and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” have masterfully tapped into this natural talent for banter, showcasing their sharp wit and snarky reenactments of each other’s outlandish antics.

Over countless seasons, the comedic aspects of this cultural exchange were sparse, largely due to a lack of chemistry among the cast and the heavy tone of the storylines. The series was often shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere, where humor swiftly faded whenever it emerged. This gloom seemed poised to dominate season 16, but luckily, the Grenada trip managed to dispel it, reintroducing laughter and playful banter. As the cast reflects on their emotional rollercoaster ride over the past few days, a uniquely Black form of friendly banter resurfaced, eliciting genuine laughter that I had missed during my coverage of the last two seasons. I adore this type of back-and-forth – Nene’s reenactment of Kenya’s iconic “Gone with the Wind” twirl to Kandi is funnier to me than the original moment – and the women are embracing the silliness as they laugh and gossip over breakfast.

Initially, Angela and Drew take the lead, with Angela admitting that she regretted looking at Drew’s face during Brit’s peculiar speech the previous night, finding it difficult to suppress her laughter. It’s a situation we can all relate to when trying to keep a straight face around our friends during serious moments, fearing even a glance would trigger an SNL-like outburst. Simultaneously, the older group gathers in Porsha’s room, where Phaedra, the self-proclaimed queen of gossip, continues her usual rounds, mockingly commenting on various topics. Cynthia and Porsha chuckle as Phaedra takes aim at Angela, expressing an unusual fascination with her, and jokes about residing in “Scam-lanta,” while discussing Brit’s donation. Finally, she dishes out fresh gossip, which is the essential element to any round of gossip.

As a passionate movie reviewer, I must say that this latest episode of Real Housewives served up exactly what we’ve come to expect – juicy drama! Phaedra shared some intriguing insights about the chilly dynamic between Brit and Kelli, hinting at an alleged attempt by Brit to poach Kelli’s stylist team. However, it seems that there’s more to the story than Brit initially let on, as we saw Kelli extending his services during their last trip.

In Kelli’s private sanctuary, these erstwhile best friends attempted to find common ground, with Brit expressing her feelings of unsupportedness concerning her donation situation. Kelli, in a diplomatic manner, advised Brit to stay true to her purpose – a subtle way of suggesting that she should be more charitable given her wealth. Regrettably, this wisdom seemed to elude Brit, and she countered by accusing Kelli of hiding behind her entourage.

In Kelli’s team’s discussions, they confess certain truths, although they evade the main issue during their conversations. Brit admits that Kelli told her she couldn’t work with her anymore, however, she neglects to mention that Brit had secretly arranged a meeting with Kelli’s glam squad in an attempt to take them away from Kelli. During their chat, Brit subtly criticizes Kelli, stating she doesn’t need a full team (considering her financial situation), and wishes Kelli would stop being so guarded. She also scolds Kelli for teaching her a lesson about generosity in front of everyone instead of doing it privately, which is a point I can understand. In the end, they pretend to be better friends, but the tension remains high, suggesting their friendship may not last much longer.

For the remainder of the show, the jovial vibe from the morning continued as the group enjoyed drinks by the pool, recounting their adventures from the previous night. A handsome man from the Caribbean tourism ministry momentarily joined them, adding to the anticipation of the night’s festivities ahead. Porsha’s spontaneous photo session aimed at uplifting Shamea further added to the atmosphere of joy and liberation. Although it felt a bit odd when Shamea admitted in a private moment that wearing Porsha’s clothes for a brief period moved her, much like Sutton Stracke’s infatuation with Kyle Richards (an unhealthy longing for friendship rarely looks appealing), it’s wonderful to see everyone getting along again, and the overall vibe remains harmonious.

To truly round off my Grenadian adventure, I joined in on an extraordinary Jab Jab nighttime festivity on the island. Typically held early in the morning, this Carnival parade is distinctive to Grenada and honors the abolition of slavery across British-ruled Caribbean islands. Originally a derogatory term for slaves, “Jab” (French for devil) was redefined as a symbol of resistance by Black people. During the celebration, participants dance through the streets, smeared in oil to pay tribute to our liberation. As Ian Charles, founder of Jambalasee Grenada, explained to Essence, “We are mocking what our oppressors told us we were – inferior, Black, and evil devils. In essence, we’re saying, you call me a devil? Well, I’ll show you a devil.

During the lively Jab Jab festivities across the island, crowds flock to the streets, which are slick with oil or charcoal, often adorned in devil costumes or using symbols such as shackles and coffins to represent rebellion against oppressors. Similar to other Caribbean Carnival events, there’s plenty of drinking, dancing, and merrymaking, as the sheer joy of being Black consistently overcomes any difficulties. The women from Atlanta may not be direct descendants of Grenadian slaves, but they can still identify with being part of the African diaspora. They protect their hair before applying oil (Cynthia’s hair protection was quite amusing) and don black bikinis and fishnets, eager for the Jab Jab experience.

After an exciting night filled with street parties and socializing with many of Grenda’s male residents, they all had such a great time that Phaedra claimed pregnancy and Porsha nearly found herself in another Bolo storyline. Upon their return to the villa, they indulged in invigorating showers and prepared for one last night on the island. The narrative concludes with a heartfelt group chat during which we discover Brit and Phaedra deepened their relationship as Brit cleaned every nook and cranny of her roommate’s body using various soaps. Hotel surfaces were adorned with their hand, foot, and even butt prints as they packed up and shared a meal together. Kelli, feeling accomplished from the successful trip but anxious about her tumultuous divorce situation, opened up to the group, revealing that immediately following a difficult phone conversation with her lawyer, the rose quartz she’d kept on her during the vacation shattered into pieces.

According to Kelli’s online search, a shattered crystal signifies the conclusion of a relationship. As I saw the ladies look on while Kelli sealed things off by tossing the crystal fragments into the sea, I wished it also symbolized the end of RHOA‘s long period of struggle. The trip to Grenada achieved what the organizers aimed for, as the themes of “reset, rebirth, and renew” all came to a close and neatly wrapped up storylines with a fitting conclusion while setting up Brit and Kelli’s downfall. Even Porsha commented on how the getaway was just what the doctor prescribed, and with the cast refreshed, they can end things with a bang. As the episode’s finale hinted, it only takes 72 hours after arriving in Atlanta for the women to return to work and continue to provide us with the season 16 we expect.

Peach Tea To-Go

Hard as it may seem to fathom, it turns out that Kelli and Drew share the same wedding anniversary date – August 21st. For those considering a nuptial knot tying on that day, I would offer this friendly advice: reconsider.

Instead of saying “Porsha stating she’s a ‘researcher,’ (it’s clear her research consisted of a Google search and scanning a Jab Jab Wikipedia page), and in the same episode labeling Kelli and Brit as “Siamese cats” rather than twins is the kind of dim-wittedness I adore from her, let me rephrase it like this:

Porsha’s claim that she’s a ‘researcher,’ despite the fact that her research was essentially a quick Google search and a glance at a Jab Jab Wikipedia page, along with her referring to Kelli and Brit as “Siamese cats” rather than twins in the same episode – that’s the kind of clueless behavior I can’t get enough of from Porsha. We need more of this entertaining silliness and less of whatever she was offering earlier this season.

I’m really looking forward to Porsha embodying her carefree spirit on “The Traitors”! I’d love for her to be like an updated version of Sheree. Unfortunately, Nene won’t be part of the cast, and I can’t help but feel disheartened about Michael Rapaport being there instead (they really should eliminate him first in sympathy with Kenya following that “WWHL” appearance). However, I remain optimistic that Porsha will provide some entertaining moments.

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2025-06-16 06:54