I thought birthdays were supposed to be fun? On this episode of The Valley, Schwartzapalooza is underway and so is the fighting. When Lala questions Danny, all hell breaks loose, ripping open old wounds and old issues that have never healed amongst the group. But when Janet refuses to apologize for her word choice last summer, Nia refuses to back down.
As the gang hangs out for Schwartz’s birthday, Luke enters, stating that Kristen is no better. Lala also enters the chat and she comes in hot, asking the hard hitting questions to Danny that no one would dream of asking.
She questions why Danny would like or say anything about Janet and Jason on socials and claims that he liked a post about “cucking”–translation: cuckolding.
Danny admits that he was liking certain things about Janet and her relationship, but Lala keeps going, asking for clarification. Danny feels triggered. Lala bringing this up right now is “perfect timing” according to Jesse (can you feel the sarcasm?). Janet shows receipts of Danny liking a ridiculous post bashing her and Jason. And she claims that if SHE liked something like that, everyone would go after her. However, Nia claims she would not care- she is in her IDGAF era.
Danny is getting stressed as Lala goes on and on and Jasmine reminds Danny that he always jumps in hot that way. Zack starts getting messy, and loud. Jasmine does not understand why Zack is not checking Danny, but he is checking everyone else. This seems a bit hypocritical considering she literally asked him to defend her…so, I guess her problem is when Zack goes off on his own?
According to Zack, people have issues with Danny and instead of wanting to say it, they stay quiet. Zack goes off, screaming FU to everybody and Jasmine tries to get in his face. Zack yells that nothing is ever resolved because no one ever listens to anybody. He then storms off, with Benji and Schwartz trailing behind.
No one knows what just happened, but Jasmine is mad about Zack’s blind loyalty to Danny. Zack feels like he is in the middle of all the drama, but Schwartz seems to be more upset about not getting a birthday cake during his celebration.
Lala wants Danny to realize that he needs to stop liking nasty posts. Brittany reminds Danny that he even liked stuff about her. When you like something, you know what you’re doing. Danny claims he does not know and in the meantime Janet is going off about him being a dumb loser to anyone that would listen. The situation is getting out of hand.
Brittany can’t believe that Danny would think she was behind some mastermind plan that Jax concocted on their old podcast. Evidently, Jax claimed he was going to take down Danny and Nia and because Brittany did not stand up and stop Jax, she was guilty by association…2 years ago. Danny finally apologizes to Brittany and Nia calls for a breather after the battle. The couple leaves to head back to their room.
No one can seem to have a conversation with Danny, including Nia. Nia maintains that she was trying to give his perspective in a calm manner, but Danny disagrees.
Lala believes that Danny was sent to bed because he “can’t show true colors” and Zack and co. re-enter after calming down. Lala wonders why Zack has blind loyalty towards Danny and Jasmine calls Zack a good friend who is getting walked all over. Interesting that Brittany and Michelle remain “blindly loyal” to Janet, yet they have problems when Zack evidently does the same. No one calls them out! But Janet thinks we cannot move on because everyone is still mad at her for talking about *the thing*.
The next morning, Zack feels refreshed and justified, a great way to start his birthday. But over at Luke and Kristen’s suite, things are different. Kristen explains that she is feeling a lot better and Luke expresses how upset he is that she essentially thinks he is a bad dad. Kristen shares that Luke gets messed up and then does not sleep in bed, but Luke thinks her image of him is way worse than what is real.
Vacation Michelle has entered the chat. She jumps ropes bright and early and Brittany promises that she will not be drinking. Right. In the meantime, Danny meets Luke for some fishing. Luke points out that he heard Lala say that liking a nasty post about Jason and Janet is endorsing negativity. When Lala joins them, she reminds Danny that there was no resolution because he left. Lala wonders that maybe the perception of Danny and Nia is wonderful, but the reality may not always be. Danny admits that they do fight as a couple, just not in front of the group.
Danny reminds Lala that she does not know the whole story. His name was attached to words that Janet put out in the universe and he has PTSD and trauma from last summer. The character defamation affected Danny so much that he was working weekly with his therapist to get past what Janet said. He admits that he should not have liked the comments and is still struggling.
Jasmine is trying to approach the day with some grace, as it’s Zack’s birthday, but she feels very disrespected after last night. Zack admits that emotions got the best of him and when Brittany arrives, she calls him out for being fresh. Zack claims he was mean because he “felt that way,” but admits that he should not have been that over the top. He points out that the hiding and lying about drinking is his issue with Danny and he states he would tell him his feelings.
Nia does not want to be around Janet’s energy, but of course she gets to shop with her allllll afternoon. On the bus ride, Kristen explains her anxiousness with the baby and admits that she is a HSP- highly sensitive person. Kristen also can’t believe that the group is fighting over Danny liking mean posts about Danny and Nia, since they all do stuff like that.
When it comes to Janet’s word choices to describe Danny’s actions (sexual assault), she refuses to apologize for saying the truth. Nia believes that Janet only earlier apologized to Nia to save herself, and it seems like Janet is trying to put a mask on to be a new version of herself…but her true colors keep popping out.
Janet runs off to call Jason and can’t believe that everyone is rallying around and comforting Nia. She is annoyed, but they continue on their shopping trip. While they do that, Danny and Luke join the poolside crew. Zack shares that the problem the night before was that there were so many conversations, but he focuses on Danny. He calls Danny out for his lying when it comes to drinking and for Zack, trust is everything.
Danny apologizes and claims he only had one drink at the apartment. Danny explains that last summer was hell and wonders who has his back. After a very productive conversation, it seems like they are all good, although Danny refuses to stake claim to the mysterious White Claw found at Brittany’s apartment.
The shopping group is able to sit down at the same table and if Jesse and Michelle can coexist, can Nia and Janet? Nia does not like that her words were twisted into something that wasn’t. Michelle explains that almost everyone in the group feels uncomfortable when Danny drinks. This group wants to make it an issue and Kristen points out that Brittany, Zack, and Jasmine are hot messes and could also stand to cut back on the drinking.
Naturally, Janet texts Brittany right away to narc out Kristen. “Nia and Kristen are willing to paint Britt, Jasmine, and Zack in a bad light in order to protect Danny.” There does not seem like there can be any resolution and Janet calls Jesse a “dumb prick” when he tries to add in a few jabs. Janet would rather exit than deal with this.
As she tries to evacuate the dinner table, Janet apologizes for speaking flippantly, but her choices and words say otherwise. According to Janet, this situation wouldn’t have happened if Danny didn’t do “weird sh*t” and he is still doing it. Janet runs away once again to call her husband and wonders why there is not a “shred of accountability” for Danny and his behavior. She feels triggered because Danny is not perfect, but didn’t Danny at least already apologize for this last season??
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VALLEY PISODE?