By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, February 22, 2016
Newcomers on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" have to build a particular skill: reading.
We're not talking Jane Austin or Shakespeare. In RHOA land, "reading" means calling people out when they are doing things that hurt you rather than just let it go. It's especially good to read people at meals with lots of other people for maximum drama.
Over time, most of the regulars learned how to "read," some better than others. NeNe Leakes is the queen of the read. Sheree Whitfield isn't half bad. Some are more passive aggressive about it, "reading" their rivals behind their backs. (See Phaedra Parks.)
Kim Fields, the newest cast member, is resisting this concept. She finds it all so unseemly, kind of "beneath" her.
But Kenya's slights are clearly getting to her. Kenya is annoyed that Kim got Cynthia Bailey's commercial gig without her. She earlier in the trip to Jamaica pulled Kim's chair out in a way that invited a physical response. (Kim walked away.) Then Kenya delightfully spreads rumors about Kim's husband possibly being gay behind Kim's back.
The other ladies also make jokes about Chris so when they say nice things about him to Kim's face, Sheree becomes annoyed. She decides to "read" everyone by saying they all joked about Chris but it all began with Kenya. Most women on this show, if placed in Kim's shoes, would have gotten really angry and thrown a fit. Kim keeps her cool even as Kenya calls out Kim as fake and was always reading "off a script."
To the cameras, Kim gives Kenya a simple visual message: a middle finger.
Later, she meets with NeNe and Phaedra because she feels she needs to go to "read school."
The pair do a bit of role playing. NeNe plays Kim and Phaedra channels Kenya. They create a comic scenario where Kim would "read" Kenya, insulting her Hollywood credentials. Ultimately, the fake Kenya courtesy of Phaedra is so hilarious making "Facts of Life" and "Living Single" references and "twirling," she overwhelms NeNe's Fields imitation. It was so very "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee."
"Reading is not my style," Kim later says. "I have a beautiful uninfected spirit." She phones Chris about the gay rumors and he is impressively unfazed. His take: "When they Google you, you got'em shook."'
"Why play dirty?" Kim proclaims. "I'd rather play grown."
But the ladies force her to say something to Kenya the next time they get together.
Kim's read: "I feel at some point, you crossed a line into disrespect that's not going to be tolerated. Let's have either no communication or cordial communication."
Kim's effort is flat and non-dramatic. But it's also sincere and classy. I'm sure Kim was well aware that was how it would be perceived.
Kenya's tepid backhanded response: "Congratulations for being able to speak up for yourself."
Cynthia quickly defends Kim by saying she didn't believe Kim was being shady at all.
So Kenya offers this: "I don't hate you. I'm in different toward you. I can be cordial."
Cynthia then asks Kenya to apologize to Kim for pulling out Kim's chair. (Kenya said she did so more because she was peeved at Cynthia at that point.)
Surprisingly, Kenya apologizes to Kim. And that conflict more or less ends for now.
I'd grade Kim's "reading" ability a C in terms of entertainment but a B-plus in terms of effectiveness. She upended Kenya's ability to escalate the situation. And Cynthia aided and abetted in closing the doors on this latest episode of silliness.
***
Later, Cynthia feels like her issues with Kenya had not been properly addressed. It was time for her to read Kenya on the last night in Jamaica.
Cynthia had been annoyed by Kenya paddling off during her commercial and not supporting her. So she confronts Kenya.
Instead of going into a whirly twirl, Kenya sounds sincerely contrite:
"The thing is, you have been the person I have most confided with here. When I felt everyone was against me, you were the only one who stood up for me. So I was in my feelings. I didn't get over it. I thought by being there [at the commercial shoot] was enough. That was not enough. It was a real jerk thing for me to do."
Sincerity from Kenya Moore? What is going on here? She clearly cares enough about Cynthia to be (gulp!) vulnerable.
Good news: Cynthia accepts the apology wholeheartedly. (Phaedra is the only skeptic but again, she doesn't trust a single thing that comes out of Kenya's mouth. Then again, Phaedra notices that Kenya and her boo Matt are getting tight. Heck, Matt even uttered the "l" word at one point!)
In other story lines:
- Todd Tucker and Kandi Burress (pregnant and unable to make the trip to Jamaica) plan a restaurant using her family recipes. They test out a chef's offerings at Euro Hookah Lounge. Aunt Bertha, the picky one, is the only one who seems to dislike his food except the ribs. But she does relent to Todd's wishes to move forward and the Old Lady Gang restaurant, he says, is going to happen.
- Bob Whitfield is trying to regain Sheree's trust on this trip. She is receptive - to a degree. But we know she has serious trust issues period.
- Porsha Williams is having fun with Miami boy toy Oliver but it's hard to tell if this is more than a dalliance.
- NeNe spent the trip in good spirits playing therapist. Perhaps knowing this was a short-term gig may have put her in a better mood.
- The trip showed the best side of Peter Thomas, who organized it. He and Cynthia appear to be back on track marriage wise.
NEXT WEEK
There's a lingerie photo shoot. Kenya's boyfriend may want to take it to another level. And Phaedra finally visits Apollo in prison with the kids.
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