Spoiler warning: We’re talking about Horace’s poisoning, Charles and Varney’s dangerous exchange, Olivia’s leverage, Mallory’s little flirtation and that ending with Norman.
Baby, Episode 5 is called “Devil in the Details,” and this family has so many devils running around that I’m starting to lose count.
Horace finally gets the answer he wanted about who was poisoning him.
Charles and Varney somehow end up in a situation involving armed men and what looks like an action movie audition.
Olivia is still controlling people from jail.
And Norman?
Norman makes sure everybody remembers exactly why they should be afraid of him.
Horace Finds Out Who Tried to Kill Him
Horace is done asking nicely.
After learning that somebody at Stanley Heart had been deliberately making him sick, he calls in the hospital board and starts demanding answers.
One man in particular, Larry, is acting entirely too nervous.
Horace notices.
And once Horace notices fear, somebody’s day is usually about to get worse.
Larry eventually admits that Norman was behind the poisoning.
There it is.
Horace’s own brother.
According to Larry, Norman has spent years collecting dirt on powerful people, including doctors, lawyers, judges and law enforcement officials, and using that information to keep them under his control.
So Norman wasn’t just hoping Horace would die.
He had people inside the medical system helping make it happen.
That is COLD.
Sibling rivalry is one thing.
Secretly arranging medical treatment to slowly kill your brother?
We have left the family-feud portion of the evening.
Horace is furious and orders Trackson to deal with Larry.
And you already know Horace is not talking about firing him.
Kimmie and Mallory Are Becoming an Unexpected Team
One thing I did not expect this season was Kimmie and Mallory actually starting to enjoy each other.
They sit around drinking, talking about the Bellarie family and laughing about how exhausting these people are.
Mallory even admits Olivia once warned her to run before marrying into the family.
Girl.
That may have been the best advice Olivia ever gave anybody.
Kimmie and Mallory realize they work pretty well together, although they both make it clear that this new friendship still has limits.
Basically:
“I like you now, but don’t try me.”
Honestly, that may be the healthiest relationship in the entire Bellarie family.
Mallory Notices the Contractor
Then Mallory gets a visit from Lee, the contractor who finished working on her house.
He comes by to let her know everything has been cleaned up and even returns a tiny amount she overpaid.
Mallory quickly realizes the man has completely missed the hints she was throwing at him earlier.
So she stops hinting.
Very directly.
Lee seems shocked because Mallory is still married.
Mallory?
Not concerned.
She basically informs him that marriage situation may not be permanent anyway.
Well then.
Roy is sitting in jail going through withdrawal while Mallory is interviewing replacements.
Efficient.
Rain Is Spending Money Like Gina Doesn’t Exist
Meanwhile, Rain is busy making the club her own.
New furniture.
New décor.
New sign.
New attitude.
She wants every trace of Delinda gone and is thrilled to see Make It Rain coming together.
I love watching Rain finally have something she controls.
But I need this woman to remember one small detail:
GINA WANTS HER MONEY.
Rain is spending like she bought the club free and clear when we already know dangerous people believe money is still owed.
Please secure the building before purchasing decorative pillows.
Priorities.
Charles and Varney Walk Straight Into a Setup
Charles and Varney are still trying to clean up Charles’s murder problem.
Olivia arranges for them to meet Andy, who has evidence connected to the bodies.
But Olivia makes one thing clear:
No money, no evidence.
Charles already suspects the whole thing is a setup.
For once, Charles is thinking clearly.
Varney arranges backup through Alex before they go.
Good thing too.
Because when they meet Andy, armed men surround them.
And then suddenly…
NINJAS.
I am not exaggerating.
Men start appearing with swords and taking everybody out while Charles and Varney grab what they came for and run.
I had to ask myself whether I accidentally changed shows.
One minute we’re dealing with blackmail and family drama.
Next minute:
Mortal Kombat: Bellarie Edition.
Sometimes you just have to accept what Tyler Perry has placed before you and continue eating your snacks.
Charles Almost Lets Olivia Die
After escaping, Charles starts reconsidering whether they should give Olivia the money at all.
His reasoning?
If they don’t pay, Gina’s people may kill her.
And Charles is basically:
Sounds good to me.
Whew.
Varney has to remind him that Olivia probably has backup evidence hidden somewhere.
Meaning killing her doesn’t automatically make the problem disappear.
Charles reluctantly agrees to finish the deal.
And Varney is right.
When he later confronts Olivia, she admits she did not hand over everything.
Of course she didn’t.
Olivia keeps insurance on top of insurance.
You could probably search that woman’s purse and find blackmail material on somebody she met at Target.
Norman Is Free
While Jules and Norman are still behind bars, they spend their time insulting each other and arguing about who actually has power.
Jules thinks Norman’s connections aren’t as strong as he claims.
Norman keeps telling him to wait.
Then Horace learns something important:
Norman is no longer in jail.
And where does Norman go?
Straight to Mallory.
She walks into her bedroom and finds Uncle Norman sitting there waiting for her.
Then he tells her:
It’s time to pay the devil.
Oh.
So we’re not easing into Episode 6.
Norman got released and immediately chose revenge.
My Take
“Devil in the Details” was one of the stronger episodes because several storylines finally started connecting.
Horace now knows Norman tried to kill him.
Norman is out of jail.
Mallory is directly in his path.
And Charles and Varney are still trying to clean up a crime while Olivia keeps enough evidence hidden to control them.
The ninja scene?
Completely ridiculous.
Did I enjoy it anyway?
Absolutely.
But the best part was Norman showing up in Mallory’s bedroom.
That man didn’t go home.
He didn’t get something to eat.
He didn’t even change clothes.
He went directly to revenge.
SoulNeekTV Rating: 4½ out of 5 Tea Cups ☕☕☕☕½
Horace finally knows who poisoned him, Norman is free, and Mallory may have just become his next target.
Episode 6 better start with somebody checking that bedroom.