From one birthday to the next on this episode of The Valley. As Zack tries to piece together what happened the night before (and why he has the worst headache of his life), Danny is ready to celebrate not only his birthday, but his anniversary with Nia. The group finds Danny’s behavior exceedingly difficult to deal with as Nia wonders why she would choose to hang out with this toxic group of people…
The theme of Danny’s birthday is Miami Vice or Booko Boat Birthday Bonanza, depending on who you ask. Danny jokes that Janet is not invited, but Janet knows better than to attend. Her “biological instincts” tell her to stay off the boat, and so, Lala and Brittany decide to skip the boat party with her.
We learn that not only is today Danny’s birthday, but it’s also Danny and Nia’s 10-year anniversary. How romantic… not. Zack is in good spirits, despite having a wrap around his face and facing a concussion the night before. But he is bothered about what Kristen said about drinking, and so he opens up to Jasmine. Janet reported that Kristen used Brittany, Zack, and Jasmine to make a point about Danny and his drinking, but it’s frustrating because Nia and Kristen claim it’s a double standard. Zack promises to address this with Kristen when vacation wraps up…
Brittany is resting so she can enjoy dinner tonight, and Lala and Janet have a heart-to-heart. Janet opens up to Lala about something that bothered her yesterday. Nia claims the articles exist about Danny only because of Janet, which makes Janet feel like Nia is doubting her. Janet explains she had to step away because when she was in school, a situation happened with another boy who put his hands on her. Janet states she pretended like it was a consensual hookup, but the fallout came back on Janet.
She became the whore, but luckily, her mom got her to a therapist and sacrificed everything to be sure Janet was okay. Janet explains that she did not even realize what it was until a year ago, when a therapist pointed out that it was sexual assault. Janet shares that it was a lot to process, and the anger she has towards men stems from this moment. It is especially hard for Janet to be around Danny, and so she cannot apologize to him.
Janet does not want to make this about her, but looking back and listening to Jasmine, she brought her own experience into the situation. Lala reminds Janet that her heart was in the right place, despite how she went about the whole Danny issue.
Back on the boat, there are dolphins and some deep conversations. Michelle gets a chance to talk with Lacy about what has been bothering her. Michelle becomes emotional with Lacy, explaining that when Jesse and Michelle were married, Michelle begged him for what he is doing to Lacy, and he refused to do that with her. At one point, Michelle loved Jesse very much, but she needs to let go of what happened. Lacy claims she does not have a lot of anger toward Michelle, but would rather have them get along so that what has happened does not keep happening.
The boat stops at a little oasis, and the swimming and diving ensue. Lacy chats with Jesse about being a little less because it is hurting Michelle’s feelings. Jesse muses, “Is she hurting cuz she is sad, or is she hurting because she thought she had her life mapped out with her boyfriend?” Lacy is so kind to remind Jesse that he should validate Michelle’s feelings.
Jesse pulls Kristen aside to talk about her relationship with Luke since night one was pretty rough. Kristen states that they do talk about their issues, but Jesse says he is worried about their future. Jesse does not want Luke to keep getting advice from friends, because that’s when a disconnect occurs.
Jesse then goes on to tell Kristen that Luke said, “If things keep going this way, I don’t see a wedding happening.” Jesse calls this an emotional response to how Luke is feeling, but Kristen spirals. Jesse likens Kristen and Luke’s relationship to his marriage with Michelle and claims that they were growing and changing in different directions. Kristen worries that Luke will leave, and now that Jesse has confirmed this, it is terrifying.
Jesse lets Lacy know that he told Kristen what Luke said. Lacy states that she will need a year of therapy to undo what the group has done to her in 12 hours…
Kristen sends Schwartz downstairs so she can talk to Luke about what Jesse just told her. Luke is aggravated that Jesse told her this, but he admits that a wedding is not on the forefront of his mind. Luke admits that if Kristen wanted to get married tomorrow, it sounds like a terrible idea. He believes that they have some work to do, rather than constantly criticizing and competing to raise their baby. Luke goes on to say, “Recently, things can be hard for me that can be hard for you, [Kristen], which is nice,” and he immediately regrets saying that to her. He puts himself to bed after Kristen is left upset and reeling in her thoughts.
The group jumps off the boat and heads back to the hotel, where Lala, Janet, and Brittany await Michelle’s arrival. Michelle shares with them that she had a release after talking to Lacy, but Kristen is feeling worse than ever. Luke admits that he got defensive because Jesse seems like he is making things harder. Luke lets Kristen know that there are times when he feels like Kristen just doesn’t like him, hence his comment, “We’ll see if a wedding even happens.” Luke is hopeful that perhaps this is harsh enough to get Kristen’s attention, but he plans on trying his absolute hardest for everyone’s sake.
Danny is irked that “bday loving” may have to be delayed, and Schwartz wears a band around his head in solidarity with Zack. What a pal. Danny is not thrilled to see Janet arrive for his birthday dinner, but because it is the last day on the trip, she is definitely staying.
Danny makes sure all is good with Michelle, despite the fact that he heard she said he made the group feel uncomfortable. Danny wants people to come talk to him if that’s the case, and he will apologize to anyone to clear the air. Michelle points out that if she were Danny, she would not drink… and Danny lies and says that he is doing just that.
Michelle wants to help everyone, but Danny feels like some people like to weaponize situations, considering Janet never came to him and apologized. Nothing gets talked about with anyone else, and Danny finds it hard that any time there is an issue, everyone talks about it.
Nia tries to talk him down, but he is heated. Danny is spewing and saying that Michelle has her own trauma after being in a relationship with Jesse. Janet lets Michelle know that she has a wall up because of something that happened to her, but Danny is ticked off about the blanket statements and wants the girls sent back up to their room.
In the meantime, Zack confronts Nia about the drinking comments, and Nia throws Kristen under the bus, although she does agree. Nia is more annoyed about the Janet of it all. Janet continuously stirs the pot and then backs up! When Brittany comes over, Kristen denies saying anything of that nature, and Nia states that Brittany should consider the source, aka Janet.
Brittany does not feel like Janet manipulated a story, and Janet wonders why Kristen would talk about her friends the way that she does. Perhaps Kristen should say it to their faces instead of behind their backs…
Jesse makes it clear that if anyone has a problem with Danny dancing and having fun, they have to go through him. Lala scoffs at this, and Danny wants the severity of this kind of talk highlighted. Lala freaks out on Danny when he gets snarky with her, claiming she is not his wife, so he should watch his mouth. Danny does not want to be painted as a bad person, as it is his birthday and anniversary.
Jesse calls Lala an attack dog who is trying to deflect, and Danny does not like the way Nia is talking to him, as she attempts to calm him down. Chaos is ensuing. Nia is doing everything she can to keep Danny’s attention away from Lala, who is clearly on a mission to mess with him. Lala wonders why everyone gets mad at Janet for walking away when Nia always pulls Danny away because she “gets nervous.” Nia wants Lala to talk to her about Danny and acts as the middleman.
An angry Danny spews that Lala should go to her husband, and Lala goes on, claiming that guys like Danny are the reason she is not married. She refers to Danny as a “Peter-Pocket” looking guy, and Nia calls the group terrible people. And now the wheels really start falling off.
Danny says the group is toxic, and Nia storms off, yelling that Danny should come with her. She yells that none of these people are his friends and calls everyone but Kristen and Luke terrible humans. Nia feels dysregulated and out of control, as Danny yells about the BS.
Janet brings up her own trauma with a man and talks about the time Danny closed the door with her in the pantry. Maybe he was just getting a snack, but she felt uncomfortable around him at that moment, the way most women have had some sort of experience that has made them uncomfortable around men.
Nia can’t understand the spell that Janet has on this group. Kristen sends Nia back to her room, but Danny is p*ssed. Who are his friends? Why isn’t he with his wife at the end of the night on his birthday? Nia tearfully tells her babysitter to pray for her as Danny yells on and on that it is his f*cking birthday. Cheers to another year.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VALLEY PISODE?