'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' recap ('Hello Mr. Chocolate'): season 7, episode 14

But Apollo did make his final minutes compelling, creating a spectacle of himself while Phaedra tried her best to keep a stiff upper lip in front of the cameras.

She had just returned home after spending several days away from the abode after she claimed Apollo made all sorts of threats about wrecking or burning down the house. (He didn't.)

Earlier, he had seen texts on her phone from someone from Africa she was possibly flirting with. He was not pleased, but he gleefully shows them to Cynthia Bailey's hubby Peter Thomas in a bid to elicit sympathy. She does not address the allegations in this episode. We don't have his confrontation with her on camera where he allegedly threatens her and scares her out of the house.

But the RHOA cameras are around for Phaedra changing the locks on the house because she says she has no idea who has access to the house even with Apollo gone to the Big House.

Or so she thinks. He is supposed to be reporting to prison in Kentucky that day but anyone who followed the news last September knew he reported late.

So he shows up, angry that she is changing the locks - like it matters. He burbles about how he had built the house, that he better have keys when he comes back - in 2023. He even takes an electric screwdrivers, turns it on and approaches Phaedra in a threatening way. He whispers, "Do... not... call... the... police."

She doesn't. She says she is still protective of him and doesn't want him to get into any more trouble.

He eventually drives away after a tense goodbye that involves no hugs and no kisses. A relieved Phaedra is now free to deal with life without him for the next 90-plus months.

***

In other storylines:

Detente or no detente: Claudia Jordan is still smarting over last week's argument with Porsha Williams, who refused to accept her overtures and acted rather childish. She gets all tearful over it with Kenya and Cynthia, her buds, at her now fully decorated apartment. Later, she meets with her boss Rickey Smiley and he decides to try to resolve this awkward situation between the two women.  Claudia just wants them to be cordial. Porsha is still resistant. It isn't pretty but Rickey forces them to hold hands and say a prayer. Not a resolution. "I cannot tell you how irritating this is," Porsha says. "She has brought this drama to my workplace and boss!" The drama of course would end quickly if Porsha is willing to just accept Claudia's apology and move on. But she won't.

Casting couch: Kenya Moore starts casting for her sitcom. Cynthia auditions for some Jamaican hairdresser and gets the job despite a horrendous Jamaican accent.

To film or not to film: Kandi Burruss is nervous about producing a movie with Todd Tucker after the "A Mother's Love' tour is nixed. She thinks it may engender arguments. She is also concerned that he enjoys his time away from her on the West Coast too much while he's working on his show featuring "Hollywood Divas." She is also worried about their lack of time to make babies.

Where's NeNe? Nowhere in this episode.  And Demetria McKinney has been fully absent since the Puerto Rico trip.

TRAILER

Todd and Kandi argue. Cynthia tells Kenya about Phaedra's alleged cheating. Kenya brings this up to Phaedra. Phaedra attacks!

RATINGS

The show landed a season low 2.62 million in overnight viewers last Sunday, hit hard by the Grammy's. Last season, the show never dropped below 3 million viewers in its strongest season ever. Even with DVR usage included, it's clear RHOA ratings are closer to season five numbers than season six.