[S9E14]: Armani-geddon II: Katarina’s Revenge (Part 1/2)
The episode opens with shots of Beverly Beach and the sounds of seagulls.
The scene lands on Monsè and Gil DeRosier’s house.
Monsè sips on wine in the kitchen as she cleans up plates from the island. We see her soon, Bastien, playing video games in the next room. Gil walks into the kitchen and gives Monsè a half smile.
Monsè: “There’s still some food left in the oven if you’re hungry.”
Gil: “Thanks, Mon.”
Gil tries to give Monsè a hug and a kiss, but Monsè doesn’t move resulting in an awkward side hug and kiss on the top of her head.
Gil: “Still mad at me? Okay.” He snorts.
Gil grabs a plate of food from the oven. He sits at the island and begins eating. He watches Monsè clean as an awkward silence is noticible between the couple.
“Shit has been awkward between me and Gil, honestly, ever since couples’ therapy.”
“I’ve been trying my best to see his side of things and be more patient, but this man apparently loooves to give me the silent treatment no matter how hard I try. It’s like he’s just given up, and honestly, that’s really scary. I don’t know what life without him is like, and I don’t want to find out.”
After putting all the dishes away, Monsè stands across from Gil at the island as he eats.
Monsè: “We can’t just keep avoiding one another. I think we should talk more about that couple’s therapy session.” She sips her wine.
Gil: “I don’t think there’s much to talk about. You were pretty clear about how you felt.” He raises an eyebrow.
Monsè: “Jesus, Gil, grow up.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m trying to have a conversation here. Our fucking marriage is on the line.”
Gil’s eyes widen.
Gil: “Are you serious? I’m allowed to be upset that my wife doesn’t trust me. You can’t expect me to be all happy to talk to you after dropping a bomb like that. This is…major. I’ve been processing everything.”
Monsè: “So now you don’t want to talk to me?” She cocks her head.
Gil: “Uh, not really, no.” He shakes his head and eats hsi food.
Monsè: “That’s great. That’s really great. Well, since you’re allowed to feel your feelings, what about me? I was honest with my feelings and tried to have a conversation about it, and what do you do? Throw a fucking tantrum at the therapist’s office.”
Gil: “Can you chill with the cursing? Bastien’s right over there.”
We get a shot of Bastien playing nearby.
Gil: “And I didn’t throw a tantrum. You’re always trying to paint me out to be this big, bad villain, and that’s not cool! This is what I’m talking about. I’ve apologized a thousand times for putting us in this situation at work, and you can’t put your feelings aside to work together and rebuild our lives. We’re supposed to be a team!”
We now get a shot of Bastien who as put down his game. He is now peaking over the couch at his parents arguing.
Monsè: “Do we look like a team right now?! We can’t even cross paths in the kitchen without it turning into a fight.”
Gil: “And whose fault is that? I just wanted to eat my dinner in peace.”
Monsè: “Nope, absolutely not. You don’t get to sit here and play the victim when this whole mess is YOUR fault.” She points at Gil. “If we don’t fix the company right now, the last 15 years of our lives are going straight down the drain. We’ve worked way too hard to let that happen.”
Gil: “Gosh, your priorities are so off. We need to fix our family first! Does that not matter to you?!”
Monsè: “That’s ALL I care about. The business is what keeps this family afloat. How else are we supposed to make a living?”
Gil: “I can’t do this anymore. I’m done. You just like to hear yourself talk.” He gets up.
Monsè: “Excuse me? Like you’re so easy to talk to. All you want to do is tell me how horrible of a person I am instead of actually helping get us back on track.”
Gil: “If that’s how you feel that’s fine. I’m not gonna convince you to care about me. Maybe we should just do our own thing from now on.”
Monsè: “What the hell does that mean? Be a man, say what you wanna say. Do you want a divorce, is that it?”
Bastien runs into the kitchen, bursting into tears.
Bastien: “No, I don’t want Mommy and Daddy to divorce! Please, I’ll be good!”
Monsè hugs Bastien and rubs his back.
Monsè: “Awww, it’s okay, baby. We’re not getting divorced. Everything’s going to be okay. We love you, baby.”
Gil: “Nice, Monsè.” He walks off.
“I don’t know how things got this bad. When you get married, you think it’s always going to be a fairytale, and every day is going to be just as perfect as the wedding. And now, I don’t even know if Gil loves me anymore. I just… I’m not sure we have any fight left in us at this point.” She sniffles. “I’m sorry, can we cut?”
The scene fades as Monsè is seen calming Bastien down.
We get multiple shots of a beautiful tea house.
The camera follows Marcie Maples as she walks inside of the establishment.
“I’m meeting with Yvonne and I’m not excited at all but let’s go.”
She takes a seat at a table and draps her jacket behind her on her seat. She thanks a waiter who brings out an assortment and sweet pastries and savory tea sandwiches. Moments later, the camera pans to Yvonne who walks into the venue, removing her sunglasses.
The host leads Yvonne over to Marcie and she sits.
Yvonne: “Well this is very tranquil unlike our relationship these last few weeks…”
Marcie: “The last time we met was corrupted by you, my love.” She gives Yvonne a look. “But let’s get into it, hmm?”
Yvonne: “Let’s do it.” She pours herself a cup of tea. “I want to understand why a snide comment about how you may be afraid of Olivia turned into you screaming at me.”
“I was taken aback by how Marcie behaved in Paris, not because I thought we were in a good place but the things she spewed seemed to be her finally releasing pent up anger. Today is about getting to the root of that.”
Marcie: “First — Let’s get to the root of you making said snide comments about me. That’s why I screamed at you there! You were out of line at the campfire and at the fashion show…” She counts on her fingers. “I can’t believe you don’t understand that.”
Yvonne: “I feel that you’ve come at me for not being a good friend, then proceed to be a nonexistent friend to me. However, when I address it, you’ve got a million excuses and digs to throw but act righteous when I throw them back!” She motions to herself.
“This issue started because I felt that Marcie took Olivia’s side when we were all at Olivia’s home. When I addressed it at the beach day, she was rude and dismissive. So I got rude and nasty.
Was it right? No. It wasn’t even justified, but it’s amazing Marcie can take no accountability for anything.”
Marcie: “You haven’t been a good friend to me the same way I haven’t been to you but do you remember what I’m going through in my life?! Basically a divorce without paperwork, just emotional.” She sighs. “You literally just act like you have problems and that’s it. I have stuff too.” Her eyes tear up a bit.
We get a shot of Yvonne just looking at Marcie.
Yvonne: “That’s the thing, Marcie — I feel that we’ve all been there for you and attentive to your problems. You wept and wallowed in my home, for God sakes, then told us all to get out of your business. We have been there, I have been there, as much as you’ll let me.” She nods. “Meanwhile, you haven’t cared enough to reciprocate the energy. I didn’t shut my friends out when I was going through a divorce and I don’t feel it’s right you have either.” She shakes her head.
Marcie raises an eyebrow.
“This entire season Yvonne utilized my pain for her storyline and now she says I haven’t been there for her?”
Marcie: “I’m trying to figure it out and I don’t want the excess pressure. What’s wrong with that? All this creates extra pressure and drama and it makes me sick. I don’t want to add to my problems with adding the women into it.”
Yvonne: “Then your problem is with Valentina, not me. I shouldn’t have said the things I have about Jon or I towards you- I apologize for that. But don’t make it seem like I’ve spent the last few months peddling your problems as my purpose.”
Marcie: “You have been. You have been, but that’s okay.” She sighs.
Yvonne rolls her eyes.
Marcie: “I apologize for the money shifting comment, that wasn’t okay.”
Marcie: I don’t know that to be true and I was repeating a rumor I heard.”
Yvonne: “Thank you.” She looks down at her phone. “I’m going to go, I have an appointment I have to attend. I’m happy we could clear the air.” She stands up.
Marcie: “Oh…alright, thank you Yvonne.”
“I’m not sure where Marcie and I stand even after this conversation, but I don’t think that I should keep pushing when I’m this frustrated. We’ll put a close on this chapter another day.”
“I don’t know where we stand but I’m not waiting for anyone to come save me. I know we need to make peace but I can’t beg her.”
As Yvonne walks out, a breaking wave on the screen prompts a transition.
We see Yvonne, that same day, walking into another establishment.
She takes a seat and waits at a table as a server brings her out tea.
“The Marcie issues can wait. Today, I’m meeting with two very special people in my life, my aunts, to blurt out the news that I’m passing on the family company and moving into a new stage of life.”
The camera pans to the door when Yvonne’s aunts enter.
They walk over to Yvonne and start giving hugs.
Yvonne: “How are you lovely ladies?”
Aunt Cassandra: “I’d be doing better if it weren’t so hot outside! I mean, this climate change needs to find a hobby.”
Yvonne laughs.
Yvonne: “How are you, Aunt Beverly?”
Aunt Beverly: “Just want to know what I had to leave my house for.” She stares at Yvonne.
“If you wanted to know why this is so hard, look no further than my Aunt Beverly. She’s my father’s oldest sister and she’s the sternest aunt of the bunch but today I need her to be the sweetest one.”
The three women sit.
Yvonne: “Well, I won’t hold things up…” She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.
Aunt Cassandra: “What is it, honey? Is the marriage over before it restarted?”
Yvonne opens her eyes, glaring at her aunt.
Yvonne: “No….I- I’m done leading the family business.”
There is a silence as Cassandra and Beverly look at one another before looking back at Yvonne.
Aunt Cassandra: “Oh honey, that’s all? You had to do all that breathing to tell us you don’t want to be CEO anymore.” She laughs with Beverly.
Aunt Beverly: “I thought she’d have a conniption with how worked up she was!” She laughs.
Yvonne: “So you two aren’t upset?”
Aunt Cassandra: “Absolutely not. We’ve been gearing Michael up to take your spot for about 2 years now — when you opened that gallery, I just knew it was the beginning of the end.”
Yvonne: “And no one told me that’s why Michael of a sudden was at all the meetings?”
Aunt Cassandra: “Well he’s family so he should learn the business.”
Aunt Beverly: “That’s right. My grandbaby is going to take this company to new heights and get us some new money.” She chuckles.
Yvonne looks shocked.
Yvonne: “Well, this is going better than I thought. I should’ve had champagne instead of tea.”
Aunt Beverly: “Order a glass for all three of us and does this place have a menu? You should’ve taken us to the country club.”
Yvonne: “We can all go after my official resignation party!”
Aunt Beverly: “When is that? Tomorrow?”
Aunt Cassandra: “Beverly, come on now. You hate that country club, anyway. You just want to see Joel.”
Aunt Beverly: “Hmph.” She crosses her arms. “Do it in your time, Michael is ready when you are.”
Yvonne: “I’ll keep you both updated.” She smiles.
“Well that wasn’t difficult at all. Rhonda and Alonzo were right — just spit it out Yvonne! You’d think after all this time, I’d have no problems being blunt- look at how I interact with these ladies!”
Aunt Beverly: “Don’t wait too long! We don’t want to go to Alonzo’s wedding and then a party for you- we aren’t spring chickens anymore!”
Yvonne: “So I take it you received your invitations.” She laughs.
Aunt Cassandra: “Indeed. He’s grown up well, you should be proud. Hopefully his marriage sticks forever unlike his parents.:
Yvonne: “Check please!” She looks around.
The women laugh as the scene fades.
The sun begins setting over Beverly Beach. The scene transitions to a beautiful sushi restaurant right on the water.
We get a cool shot of Valentina Armani as she struts in and talks to the hostess up front.
“We are finally back from Paris and I’m ready to catch up with the girls. I definitely have been on my own island since we’ve gotten back so hopefully I can explain myself to Violette and Monsè on why I came at Olivia the way that I did about Weston!”
Valentina gets up from the table to greet Violette as she arrives.
Violette: “Hey there, pretty girl! Love this green!”
Valentina: “Oh my God you look so damn good!”
The women hug. The camera pans to show Monsè walking over.
Monsè: “Hey ladies!”
Monsè now hugs Valentina and Violette then all three ‘Wives sit.
Monsè: “Everyone feeling refreshed after Paris?”
Valentina: “I’m glad to be back!” She laughs. “It was fun until backstage on the final night…”
Violette: “I know! That was crazy.” She laughs and sets down her menu.
Monsè: “The whole trip was a little crazy for me.” She chuckles.
Valentina orders lychee martinis for the table before turning to the girls and letting out a sigh.
Valentina: “Guys, how am I going to fix it with Olivia!? I am pretty sure that woman hates my guts now.” She laughs.
Violette: “Well, what happened with the two of you? Why did you… kinda come at her?”
“I’m happy to have a moment to dish about Paris! Valentina and Olivia going at each other was out of left field, for sure. I want to know why!”
Valentina: “For me — “ She motions to herself. “I just want Olivia to be truthful… Clearly Weston feels a way about her and she is just trying to brush it under the rug to save face. Plus she has taken every opportunity to embarrass me and call my behavior out so why is it a problem when I return the favor.” She looks to the girls.
Monsè nods along.
Monsè: “I get it, babe. But you kinda have to admit… wrong place, wrong time.” She shrugs. “At a professional event, and at something as huge as a runway show at Paris Fashion Week…not good.”
Valentina: “There’s been several times she could’ve called me out in private but she didn’t take the opportunity to address me privately. So you have to give respect to get it.”
Valentina shrugs and thanks the waiter who drops off the drinks.
Violette: “I understand where you’re coming from. I do.” She looks at Valentina. “But, like Monsè said. Wrong place, wrong time. You know? It was at her fashion show and you took it as a moment to kind of… come at her. I would’ve just waited til you had a one on one with her.”
“Valentina, I like her. I do! But… she’s kind of… dense. Like, she’s a bored housewife who has nothing better to do but stir up drama and ruin business events. If she had a company of her own or any businesses she was passionate about, she would understand. She wouldn’t want that for herself.” She laughs. “Does Valentina even work?”
Valentina: “We’ve not had a sit down all season!” She pulls up some texts. “I’ve tried to get her to sit down with me since Weston went off about her at the drag brunch.”
Monsè: “I support you, and hopefully you and Olivia can make amends but I’m on her side when it comes to Weston after he chewed me out for betraying him during my Fashion Week fitting. I just don’t think he’s a nice person.” She shakes her head.
“I get why Valentina wants to throw jabs at Olivia to even the score, but Weston is unfortunately a little bitch. There’s no denying it. Pick at her for her oil-spilling husband or something, I don’t know.” She shrugs.
Violette: “I’ve never met this Weston person. But, I don’t think he’s a cool person for slandering his boss. But… that’s just my opinion. Val, I think you two will be fine. You’ll just have to take ownership and apologize for doing it HOW you did it. You don’t have to apologize for what you said. Just how you went about it and I think she’ll be fine to move on with you.”
Valentina nods at Violette.
Valentina: “I hear everything you all are saying. You girls are some real bitches for holding my feet to the fire. I appreciate it, I really do because I’m not always perfect but I can and will own my shit when I’m really wrong and I was wrong with how I handled this.”
Violette: “I appreciate that, Val! Of course. I’m always honest with my friends.” She smiles at Valentina.
“Valentina’s willingness to accept that she was wrong is a boss bitch move. Not many women would be able to do that. Especially from what I’ve noticed in this group. I’ve definitely grown to like Valentina. I’m sad we got off to a rough start, but I’m liking where we’re heading.”
Valentina: “Look I’ve got the annual Armani extravaganza at Joshua Tree so I guess Olivia and I can have a conversation there. I will apologize for how I went about it.”
Monsè does a little clap as the sushi rolls arrive.
Monsè: “I’m excited for this party! Is thee Brandon Armani going to make an appearance?” She picks up her chopsticks.
Valentina: “Brandon is coming…” She sighs and looks down. “It was a struggle to get him there with his “schedule” but he will be there. It’s my mom Katarina who’s causing some ruckus. We got in a big fight this morning about her coming to the party. She wants to come but Brandon doesn’t want her there.”
Violette makes a face as she chews and looks between the ‘Wives.
Monsè: “I’m so sorry to hear. I hope things get better soon.”
Violette: “Speaking of men being there. I’m actually kind of glad Brandon will be there. Jean Luc is wanting to come with me as well, I can introduce them.”
Valentina: “Bring Jean Luc! Brandon needs more men in his corner!”
Monsè: “Oh, he’s still in the picture? That’s surprising, but I’m sure he’ll have fun.” She chuckles a bit and picks up a piece of sushi.
Violette can be seen rolling her eyes a bit.
“Jean Luc wants to come to Valentina’s party to kind of… set the record straight with Monsè. He’s obviously upset with her and he has his own issues with her to hash out. That has nothing to do with me and I’m just going to let the two of them…talk.”
Monsè: “Hopefully, everyone gets along fine at the party at least.”
Valentina: “I hope so plus Brandon — is nervous to be back around the ladies after how they treated him last season. I really can’t afford for this to go badly for us.” She looks around the table. “I haven’t slept in the same bed as him in weeks.”
Violette makes a ‘yikes’ face and Monsè widens her eyes.
Violette: “I’m with you on that one, my friend. More than you know. You two will work it out!” She sighs and squeezes Valentina’s hand.
“I know Gil and I have been going through problems of our own, but not sharing a bed? That’s usually when people already have a foot out of the marriage. It’s not sounding good for the Armani’s.”
Valentina: “Please don’t talk about this with the other girls. I know my marriage will make it through this…it’s just a rough patch.” She forces a smile. “Let’s cheers to this girls sushi date and my Armani extravaganza!”
Monsè: “To the gals and galas, bitch!”
The scene fades as the women all clink together their glasses.
We get shots of the beautiful coast of Beverly Beach.
The scene lands on Olivia who is near the beach; she talks to a horse trainer and three horses are tied up nearby.
“Back in Beverly Beach — and after how the women carried themselves after my fashion show — boy was I happy to be home! These women were so uncouth.” She shakes her head. “Just nasty work. I invited Serena out to ride horses and see why she disappeared — it was so disappointing that she would do that to me when I thought we were building a friendship.”
Serena is seen pulling up in the parking lot. She gets out of her car and makes her way towards the beach where Olivia, the trainer, and the horses are.
Serena: “Hello hello darling!” She walks up to Olivia and gives her a hug.
Olivia: “Hello hello! Thanks for joining me.” She smiles.
“I’m excited to meet up with Olivia to go horseback riding! I think I owe her an apology for my obvious absence at the Paris fashion week. Hopefully she’ll understand.”
Olivia: “Have you ever rode horses before?”
Serena: “Never! I’m a little nervous!” She laughs.
Olivia: “It’s so fun! Come on girl, let’s get it!”
There is a montage as the trainer helps the women get on their horses. We see them being lead down a beautiful beach path. The horses trot along the beach as the girls take pictures and admire the view.
We see the ‘Wives circle back to where they started but now there is a small picnic set up on the beach. They leave the horses with the trainer and walk down to the beach together.
Olivia: “That was a lot of fun! Did you enjoy your first time riding?” She pops open the bottle of champagne in the picnic basket and begins pouring two cups.
Serena: “I think I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Wheww! That was fun. Thank you for that experience!” She smiles and takes the champagne from Olivia. “Can we sit and talk though? I have some things to talk to you about.”
Olivia: “Of course.” She nods. “So what would you like to start with?” She hands Serena a plate with some meats, cheeses, and fruits on it. “You know, I’m a little disappointed with you. But I’m sure there’s an explanation.” She looks to Serena.
Serena: “I know…I know…” She frowns.
“Olivia is the girlfriend I connect with the most. Outside of Yvonne and val. She’s wealthy, loves to host luxurious events and she’s a good time! I truly hope we can move forward after the Paris Fashion Week disaster.”
Serena: “I would like to apologize to you for that. I take full responsibility for my actions.” She puts her hand to her chest. “If I can be honest, I really had an anxiety attack. I felt like I couldn’t do the job. I don’t know why. I felt you deserved someone better than me. I slighted myself in a moment where I should’ve pushed through for my friend and for myself.”
Olivia nods.
Olivia: “Oh Serena, you would have been amazing. You seemed so confident the night before, that I didn’t even know you were feeling anxious. I wish you would have told me, because it did put me in a stressful bind the day of. You wouldn’t even text me back or answer my calls…” She sighs. “But, I understand and I’m sorry that you felt that way. I chose you for a reason, and that’s because I believed in you girl. Don’t doubt yourself, you’re amazing.” She smiles.
Serena: “I know.” She wipes a tear. “Thank you. It’s just very very hard sometimes believing in myself. I think that the overly confident persona helps me get through the anxiety, but most times I’m very nervous. Please forgive me. I’d love to make it up to you. I’ll pay you back for something or even do free styles first you. Thank you for believing in me.”
Olivia: “No need to pay me back, babe. It’s water under the bridge.” She smiles.
Serena smiles back and takes a bite off her plate.
Serena: “I want to know, how was the overall experience? How do you feel?”
Olivia: “The show was truly remarkable. One of my best memories, ya know my husband surprised me by coming? That was his first time ever seeing me and my line since we’ve been married. He truly is amazing.”
“You know, Yvonne talks about my husband quite a bit, but Brandon is a fantastic partner. He truly is my soul mate. His support means everything to me.”
Serena: “Ahhh!! That’s so beautiful. I bet you were blushing all night.” She smiles and sips her champagne. “I love that so much. You deserve it. He seems like such a great guy!”
Olivia: “Thank you, if only everyone thought highly of him. Yvonne and Val both caused quite a stir at my event with their behavior. I just wish they would have been more supportive of me. Shockingly, even Marcie was activated and screaming backstage.” She laughs. “Honestly, I felt Yvonne was trying to sabotage my trip.” She sighs.
Serena looks shocked.
Serena: “Wait — what happened with Yvonne and Val? I thought everyone was being supportive?”
Olivia shakes her head.
Olivia: “Well you were there when Yvonne and I got into a heated argument about her lack of support and just nastiness towards me.”
Serena: “Yeah…that wasn’t good.”
Olivia: “Valentina proceeded to come backstage after the show and accuse me of using my employees work as my own.”
Olivia: “Thankfully the ladies had my back there because I had showed most of you my drawings.” She tucks her hair behind her ear.”
Serena: “I do love Val and Yvonne, but that’s not okay. We as women should never tear another woman down in the area of family or business. I think that it is distasteful to say the least. I saw your work and I truly saw the hardwork you put into it. I support you queen. Although I didn’t do well my first time around. I promise to do better from here on out.”
Olivia: “Thank you girl, I just wish these women wouldn’t tear me or anyone else down. I know I’m not perfect, but I do not pick at anyone first. I may address situations with these women and clap back as my sons would say, but I never start anything first.”
Serena: “Maybe you and Yvonne should have a conversation.”
“Both Olivia and Yvonne are big business women. I think that if they just settle their issues once and for all, they’d be a great friend group to help each other!”
Serena: “I just think she gives the people she has an issue with a hard time. She really doesn’t mean a lot of what she says. It doesn’t make the situation better, but it can bring a different perspective. You know?”
Olivia: “I want to have a conversation with Yvonne — we’ve both said some unkind things to each other and I don’t even know why it has gotten to this place. Maybe you’re right — a conversation is needed.” She sighs and finishes her champagne.
Serena: “I think there’s the Armani’s desert party, right? Maybe you two can talk there! Perfect place and timing.”
Olivia: “If I decide to go!” She laughs. “I haven’t made up my mind yet…with how low down Valentina has been to me meddling in my workplace drama…”
“Valentina invited all the ladies to her party in the desert, however, I’m not sure if I want to go. Her behavior has just not been up to par with someone I would consider a friend.” She shrugs. “She’s unimpressive.”
Serena: “Ohh you will be there!! We’re going to be each other’s dates.” She laughs and playfully nudges Olivia. “It’s very hot out here though.” She fans herself. “Can we start heading back before my wig glue starts melting?”
Olivia laughs.
Olivia: “Yes! I’ve had too much champagne! Help me up!”
The scene fades as the ‘Wives giggle together and Serena helps Olivia up. The episode goes to commercial.
END OF PART 1
