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Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Goodbye -The Final Episode-
The show begins with Christie in the confessional. She says she is very tired and has only had four hours of sleep. In the confessional, Niambi says she is excited that race day is here. She says her frustration is gone and she looks forward to enjoying the last day with everyone. Jodi gathers the women and they all get in the van and leave for the 5k race.
The women arrive at the race site and set up balloons, etc., for the event. In the confessional, Christie says she is hoping to run on adrenaline today. She says she is ready to have a good time and to express her passion and spirit. Christie's mom, Elaine, and her sister, Cassie, arrive for the race. In the confessional, Christie says she is very happy that they are there and she wants to make them proud.
Rhonda, Dr. Stan, and Iyanla have arrived as well. In the confessional, Rhonda says "this is it!" She says these are the crucial moments before the big event.
The women and guests gather and Rhonda stands before them. She says that this run is Christie's final assignment and she could not have done it without the support of many people. Then Rhonda takes out a bullhorn and begins announcing the Starting Over graduates from all three seasons. She calls out each of their names, and they each run over a hill and gather together. In the confessional, Christie says it is so awesome to see the women who have paved the way for her.
After everyone is gathered, Christie makes a speech. She says she is honored to stand before them and is truly blessed. She says that all of these women, the Starting Over graduates, speak the same language and they all know how she feels. She says she is a changed woman and she now wants to give back and help others.
Dr. Stan then announces the beginning of the race. Everyone starts jogging, running, or walking the course. As the race goes on, women from the past seasons are spotlighted in the confessional.
Megg from season two says she came into the house to overcome her fear of riding in elevators and airplanes. She says she is now doing both. Renee, also from season two, says she came into the house to step into adulthood. She says she is now in school to develop a career in fashion marketing. Nyanza from season one says she came to Starting Over to learn to develop real relationships. She says thanks to SO she is now married and has a solid relationship. Allison from season two and three says that Starting Over saved her life. She says she entered the house with dis-ease and disillusionment. She says she can now "be me," and is in a different world. Lisa N from seasons three says she is now very connected to others. Candy from season two says she came to the house to find her feminine side. She says she came to the race today to show that change is possible. Lynell from season one says the race is an amazing experience and she is very happy to be here today. Audrey from season one says she went into the house to be a singer/songwriter. She says she is now in the recording studio working with a Grammy-award winner. Maureen from season one says she fulfilled her goal up being a stand-up comic. TJ from season three says she entered the house in order to become more connected and more grounded. She says she definitely has those things now.
Andy Paige is the first person to reach the finish line. In the confessional she says she is a firm believer that you can "teach an old dog new tricks." Everyone else makes their way across the finish line. Christie struggles a little bit to make it across, and Rhonda takes her arm and runs the last steps with her. In the confessional, Christie says when she crossed the finish line she felt a sense of freedom, support, and confidence in herself and in her passion to help others.
After the race is over, Christie thanks her housemates who helped her with this final assignment. She then introduces Laura Drobst of the Women's Network. Christie then announces that they have raised over $4,100 with today's race. Laura and Christie hug and everyone claps.
In the confessional, Iyanla says now that the race has reached a conclusion she has to clear up some unfinished business with Niambi. She says she is concerned with how Niambi is holding up after their difficult conversation last night.
Everyone is now back at the house and Iyanla arrives to meet with Niambi. In the confessional, Iyanla says Niambi is struggling with not graduating. She says Niambi's real problem runs deeper, however, and she hopes that Niambi's vulnerable state will help Iyanla get to the heart of the matter.
Iyanla asks Niambi how she is doing. Niambi says she hates to leave before finishing what she started. She says she realizes now that she has a lot more to do than she thought. Iyanla then asks Niambi to tell her what hurts her on an average day. Niambi says a better question would be what doesn't hurt her. She says she is clinically depressed. Iyanla asks her whether she has been diagnosed, and Niambi says a doctor did give her that diagnosis a few years ago. She says it is very hard to acknowledge, and conjectures that it is so difficult for pride or cultural reasons. Iyanla says it is a little of both. Iyanla says depression is an internal response to an external event. In the confessional, Iyanla says now that Niambi acknowledges her problem, she can deal with it.
Iyanla tells Niambi that her success was that she got up everyday in the house (even though she is depressed). She tells Niambi they have had a victory by Niambi realizing something else is going on. Niambi and Iyanla hug.
All the women from the current and past seasons have arrived at the house and everyone is gathered by the pool. Dr. Stan, Iyanla, and Rhonda are also there. Stan tells the women that they have had a rare opportunity to change their lives and in changing their lives they also helped countless others. He asks the women to share what it means to them to be a Starting Over woman.
Jill stands up first and says the opening of the show says, "This house changed my life." She says that is completely and totally true for her. She says she came in with a lot of baggage and was denying all of it. She says she can now say "here I am," and she stands in who she is for the first time in her life.
Sommer stands up next and tells the story of getting an email from a woman who was watching Sommer's story (the first time she was in the house). She says the women told her she was a new mother and had watched Sommer's "stupid exercise" and that it had gotten her through a difficult time. Sommer says she wrote the woman back and had to tell her she left the house before graduating and felt terrible about it. The woman wrote her back and sent her a photo of her baby daughter. She told Sommer that any time she feels like she failed she should look at the photo of that baby and realize that she saved that baby's mother's life. Sommer says it meant so much to her.
Cassie R from season one says the SO house made her realize that she could achieve her dreams. Rhonda asks Cassie when she will be graduating from college, and Cassie says she will soon be finished with school. Rhonda says that shows how long SO has been in existence because Cassie started college in season one of SO and now she is almost finished.
Kim from the current season is next to speak. She is very emotional and says the SO house gave her the opportunity to feel her feelings. She says she had been blocking off her feelings because she didn't want to feel pain. She says that now she can give and receive authentic love and she is honored and privileged to have been in the house. She tells all the women that she loves each and every one of them.
Lisa A, also from the current season says 2005 was the best year of her life. She says when she came into the house she thought nobody loved her and she had lost all her friends. She says she now has many friends and is emailing/talking on the phone with them all the time. She thanks everyone and says she is a new person.
Haley from season one says she came into the house a "brat." She says she learned how to get along with her mom and that she couldn't have made the changes in her life that she has made without SO.
Antonia from the current season says she does have some fear of leaving the house. She says she is like a baby learning to walk. She says she has had no contact with her father in 10 years because he is in prison, and she didn't know she even needed to address that issue before coming to SO. She says she realized she needed to address it when she "flipped out" on Cassie for giving her son up for adoption (which reminded her of her issues with her dad). She says she told Jill she was not ready to contact her father yet, and Jill told her to "get ready to get ready." Antonia says that is what she is going to do once she leaves the house.
Andy Paige is next to speak. She says she was nurtured in the SO house. She says it is easier to try when you know that if you fail, the women in the house all have your back. She says once she went back out into the "real world," however, she found that some people will hurt you when you offer an open heart to them. She says all that means is that those people are afraid and just like she used to be. She says when you can understand that, you can make friends with them.
Iyanla then speaks. She says there is one sister here today who is not quite completed in her journey. She says this woman is courageous to not see that as a failure, but to instead move forward in her life. She asks all the women sitting there to be Niambi's accountability partners. She then asks Niambi to share her intentions.
Niambi stands up and says she intends to walk through the doors of the SO house with her head held high. She says she intends to get the graduation statue. She says she has referred to the SO house as the "magic kingdom" and she now realizes that "I am the magic." She says she now has friends for life and a coach for life. She says she has a sense of self and knows herself more than she could have ever imagined. She tells everyone that she will see them at the "top" because that is where she will be. In the confessional, Antonia says she is proud of how much Niambi has accomplished and she will be there for her and be her friend forever.
Iyanla addresses the women and says she learned to live out loud a long time ago. She says she learned how dangerous and devastating silence can be. She says she believe that if you tell your story, it will heal you. She says being a part of SO has allowed her to edit and rewrite her story and doing it in a public way has been a freeing experience. She says she is honored and thanks all the women for allowing her to be part of their process. She says if she has helped just one person, her living is not in vain.
Stan is next to speak. He says he is an emotional man (you can ask his wife and children), and then starts choking up with emotion. He says he feels so much joy and exuberance from being a part of the house. He says he has had a unique role in the house and was somewhat of an outsider, but that everyone embraced him and welcomed him. He says he has been a psychologist for many years and has worked with many people, but he has never worked with the women so courageous and motivated. He says "because of you, I am a better man today."
Rhonda speaks next. She says she loves to see a "soul unfold." She says she has gotten to see that so often in the SO house. She says she has embraced the opportunity to share what she knows and to share with them her own healing and transformation. She thanks all the women and tells them to go and share what they have learned with the world.
The women of the previous seasons then leave the house. Jill then says goodbye and hugs everyone. In the confessional, Jill says she has achieved all her goals and she couldn't ask for more. Jill leaves the house for the last time.
Jodi is next to leave. She is crying and she and Iyanla are hugging. In the confessional, Jodi says saying goodbye is bittersweet. She says she has had an amazing experience and now is a time of new beginnings. Jodi leaves.
Sommer is next to say her goodbyes. She hugs everyone and Stan tells her is very happy that she graduated. In the confessional, she is crying and says she it is an incredible feeling to leave the house with her statue. She says she feels pride in herself and values herself now. Sommer leaves.
Antonia is next to leave. Stan tells her he expects great things from her. In the confessional, she says she in love with her housemates. She says she is sad to leave, but she is leaving a changed woman. She says it is sad, but sweet. Antonia leaves.
Christie is next to say goodbye. In the confessional, she says she is grateful and feels blessed. She pledges to give back and share her new-found strength with other women.
Iyanla then tells Niambi that she, Rhonda, and Dr. Stan want to talk with her. She is the final woman left in the house. In the confessional, Iyanla says before they can close up the house, they have unfinished business with "Miss Niambi."
Rhonda tells Niambi that she (Niambi) is still trusting the process. She says they are all holding her, even though they are not together. Iyanla tells Niambi that she will never leave her ever. Then she says "we have some work to do." She tells Niambi she has statue for her. Iyanla brings out a statue, but it is blank and doesn't yet have a plate. She puts the statue on the fireplace mantle and tells Niambi that when she sees herself in the statue, she will be ready to leave. In the confessional, Niambi says the SO house is like a cocoon, and you leave a beautiful butterfly. She says she has had a powerful, invaluable experience in the house. She says she knows one day her statue will read, “running enthusiastically toward life.”
Iyanla hugs Niambi and Niambi is crying. Niambi then leaves and Stan, Rhonda, and Iyanla stand outside the door of the house with their arms around each other. Stan says he thinks Niambi is going to make it and that all the women are going to make it.
The show then does a series of flashbacks from seasons three. At the end, Rhonda says the key word in Starting Over is "start." She says "contemplate that word in your life and say, yes I can start over."
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Christie Graduates
The show begins with Christie in the confessional. She says today is her graduation day and she is thrilled. She says she has never followed through and completed something of this magnitude.
Niambi is on the phone with Iyanla. Iyanla tells her she is to go to a jewelry store today and choose charms for a serenity bracelet they will put together later in the day. In the confessional, Iyanla says it is a difficult time for Niambi because everyone is graduating around her.
The women gather for group and Rhonda arrives. Rhonda calls Christie to sit next to her and then opens the plasma to reveal Christie's old self-portrait. Christie says she traced the image of the woman in her old self-portrait because she was afraid that if she drew it herself it would look stupid. Then they put up on the plasma Christie's new self-portrait. Christie says she drew this one herself. Niambi says that the new self-portrait has big bold words like cornerstones for Christie's life. In the confessional, Jodi says Christie is a powerful woman and she (Christie) is realizing that now.
Rhonda asks Christie whether she is ready for the 5k tomorrow. Christie says she is ready and looking forward to it. Rhonda then gives Christie a present; it is a box of medals for the runners tomorrow. Christie was unable to get the medals in time and thought she wouldn't have them by race day. Christie is happy to get them and shows them to all the women. Rhonda then announces that Andy Paige is there to take Christie out for her makeover. Andy makes her entrance and in the confessional, Jill says she hopes Andy will be "stopping Repunzal" by getting Christie to cut her hair. Christi and Andy leave together and group is adjourned.
Niambi and Jill are talking about their mother issues. Niambi says when she came to the house she believed her dad was all bad, and her mom was all good. She says Iyanla told her it was time to tell the truth. In the confessional, Jill says it was a big step for both of them to disclose difficulties in their relationships with their mothers because it isn't culturally accepted to air their private business in public.
Andy and Christie arrive at a clothing store called Dressed Up. Andy shows her various dresses she has picked out for her. Christie says she is a little nervous because she doesn't want to wear anything too short or revealing. She says, however, that she wants a dress that is form fitting and feminine.
Iyanla arrives to meet with Jill. In the confessional, Iyanla says Jill is having a difficult time with her mother. She says Jill went and visited her formerly estranged father for Christmas, and didn't even send her mom a card. Iyanla says that Jill does not have a peaceful balance with her parents. Jill tells Iyanla that it is very difficult to speak to her mother about her father. She says her mom feels abandoned because Jill met with her father. Iyanla asks Jill how she would feel if she were her mother. She says Jill's mother raised her all alone and was abandoned by Jill's father. Then 40 years later, the father is back and Jill goes to see him for Christmas and doesn't even go send her mom a card. Jill says she would feel abandoned, angry, and sad if she were her mom. Iyanla says Jill didn't mean to make her mom feel that way, but that is exactly what she did. She says Jill unintentionally did to her mom what Jill's dad did to Jill.
Niambi goes shopping at Jewel Art for the charms to make her bracelet. In the confessional Niambi says she feels that her life is in other people's hands right now, and she finds the loss of control frightening.
Christie continues trying on dresses at Dressed Up. She says she is used to hiding her body by wearing jeans and big sweatshirts and that wearing a revealing dress is a risk.
Jill and Iyanla continue their conversation. Jill is crying and Iyanla tells her that her (Jill's) mom feels hurt and scared. She says Jill is not responsible for how her mom feels, but she should meet her mom in that place. Jill asks Iyanla how she can get rid of the desire to "fix" her mom. Iyanla says to stop believing that her mom is broken. Iyanla then tells Jill to go wash her face and then they will call Jill's mom together. She says acknowledment is the "first step towards healing."
Andy and Christie arrive at a hair salon. In the confessional, Andy says she wants to try to get Christie to donate her hair to Locks Of Love. Andy tells Christie that her "old" hair represents the person she used to be when she was drinking, doing drugs, etc. She says Christie is a new person now and can let go of the old hair.
Jill and Iyanla call Jill's mom on speakerphone. Iyanla tells Jill's mom, Lynda, that she is going to facilitate the conversation and is there for support. Iyanla asks Lynda how she felt when Jill didn't get in touch with her over the holiday. Lynda says she felt left out. She says you just don't forget your mom on Christmas and says she felt terrible when she didn't hear from Jill. She says she was shocked and felt alone and neglected.
Jill tells her mom she wants to acknowledge how her mom felt and says she apologizes for the "depths of her soul." She asks her mom for forgiveness. Her mom accepts Jill's apology and thanks her. In the confessional, Iyanla says Jill and her mom can now move forward with a loving relationship.
Christie and Andy are at the hair salon and Andy is telling Christie they should take off 8-12" of hair for Locks Of Love. Christie is a little hesitant at first. In the confessional, Christie says she would have said no to the haircut if it weren't going to a good cause. She says she wants to give back for all she has received, and she agrees to the haircut. The stylist cuts off 8" and then washes and colors Christie's hair.
Starting Over graduates Kelly, Kim, and Lisa arrive at the house. All the women are excited to see them. Niambi and Kim sit and talk for a minute. Kim asks Niambi how things are going in the house, and Niambi says "it is what it is." In the confessional, Niambi says it is difficult to watch everyone graduating. She says she feels exhausted and left out.
Rhonda, Iyanla, and Dr. Stan arrive. Everyone gathers for Christie's graduation while Andy puts the finishing touches on Christie's make-up.
Christie comes in and everyone stands up and claps for her. (ED Her hair looks great and she is wearing a pretty green dress.) In the confessional, Jodi says she is very happy to see that Christie got her haircut. She says Christie looks very polished now and is breathtaking.
Everyone takes a seat and Rhonda goes to the podium. Rhonda says when Christie first came into the house she was a beautiful woman who didn't know it. She says Christie's goal, Learning To Love Herself, was impeded at first because Christie had so much baggage from her past. She says Christie had so much baggage that she didn't know herself. She says one of Christie's most difficult challenges was giving up her addictions. They flashback to when Christie did the exercise in which she threw liquor bottles, pills, etc., into the fire pit outside. Rhonda says Christie realized that her addictions had become too powerful in her life and she recognized that she had to let them go.
Rhonda says Christie had numbed herself so much with her addictions that she didn't know who she was. She says a major difficult Christie faced was her feelings of loneliness. They flashback to the time Christie's housemates were instructed to ignore her and show how upset Christie was about it. Rhonda says Christie's day of loneliness was a turning point for Christie. She says Christie realized that every time she wanted to give up and numb out, it was because she felt lonely, and that Christie faced that loneliness instead of running away.
Rhonda says Christie next faced her issues with her mom and Christie and Kim joined together to deal with their mother issues. Rhonda says that Christie then had a luncheon with her mom in which she let her mom off the hook. They flashback to the day Christie and her mom met. Rhonda says on that day Christie became an adult. Rhonda says her wish for Christie is that she realizes she has the fortitude, passion, and dedication to accomplish anything she wants. She says "just walk into the future and claim it." Rhonda congratulates Christie and they hug.
Iyanla goes to the podium next. Iyanla says there are no words to describe Christie's brilliance and beauty. She says Christie is the brilliance and beauty of love. She says Christie has sunflowers (that the women gave her when she walked in the room), and that sunflowers close up at night when the sun goes down. She says her wish for Christie is that she allow her brilliance to shine in the darkest places of her life and in the darkest places of the world. Iyanla congratulates Christie.
Stan is next to the podium. He says that when he thinks of what Starting Over means, he thinks about Christie. He says she came into the house not fully acknowledging the depth of her issues and problems, but made a remarkable transformation. He then mentions that Christie will be raising her brother, Cain. In the confessional, Christie says Cain was "hanging on by a thread" and that she has decided to raise him. She hopes to inspire him and help him to become a wonderful person. Stan congratules Christie.
Kelly goes to the podium next. She tells Christie she looks beautiful. She says the first day she (Kelly) got to the house, Christie said she was scared of her. Kelly says she knew then that she and Christie would be close. Kelly says she can scare people a bit, but she is not a scary person. She says her hope for Christie is that she creates a soft, safe place for Cain and that she knows she doesn't have to be perfect. Kelly and Christie hug each other.
Jodi goes to the podium next. She says she and Christie entered the house within four days of each other and have gone through the whole journey together. She tells Christie that she promises to help her with Cain financially and with love and support. She tells Christie to put one foot in front of the other and she will get to where she wants to be. She tells Christie she loves her.
Rhonda, Iyanla, and Christie then go to the podium and Iyanla presents Christie with her graduation gifts. They are giving Christie a vacation to Big Bear in California to give Christie and Cain bonding time together. They are also giving her $1500 to help her with moving expenses and furniture so she can create a warm home for Cain and herself.
Rhonda then presents Christie with her trophy. Rhonda says the trophy is very rare and only people who have gone through the SO process successfully gets one. She says she is honored to include Christie in that group. The trophy reads, "Loveable-Starting Over 2006."
Christie is up at the podium. She says she feels so blessed to have been chosen to be in the house. She tells Rhonda that she has never had someone look at her with such pride in her eyes the way Rhonda looks at her. She says she is very grateful to Rhonda and that Rhonda is her inspiration. She says Iyanla is powerful and that her words speak to her (Christie's) soul. She says Dr. Stan has been her soft place, and has also been the male role model she never had. She also tells Stan he is looking particularly hot tonight.
Christie then thanks her housemates for the opportunity to share this journey. She says Kelly is the epitome of "mother" to her and she always wished she had had a mom like Kelly. She tells Jodi she is grateful to her and loves her. She says Jodi has taught her many priceless things. She says Niambi is her "biggest gift." She says Niambi has taught her a lot, and that she will be there for Niambi whenever Niambi can look at Christie the same way Christie looks at her. She says she will be there for her without judgment.
Christie then thanks everyone again and in the confessional, she says she feels loveable tonight. She says she is a different person and has started over. After the graduation ceremony, Christie goes outside and floats her candle in the pool.
Later, Kim, Kelly, and Lisa say goodbye and leave the house. Niambi looks sad and is sitting on the couch alone. In the confessional, Iyanla says she is going to have a heart to heart with Niambi and that "all is not lost."
Niambi and Iyanla sit at a table and talk. Niambi has brought the charms she bought today and Iyanla looks them over. Iyanla then asks Niambi what she is ready to do. Niambi says she is ready to be honest about who she is and what she wants. Iyanla asks Niambi what she believes she can have right now and just as she is. Niambi doesn't answer. Iyanla says she can't help Niambi if Niambi doesn't have a vision. Iyanla then tells the story of Seabiscuit. Seabiscuit, she says, was a thoroughbred horse, but he was a runt. The trainers, therefore, used Seabiscuit to train other horses. They would have him run against the other thoroughbreds, but would pull back on his reins and never let him go too fast or win a race. She says Seabiscuit was trained to lose. Iyanla asks Niambi if she was trained to lose, and Niambi says she thinks she was in a lot of areas of her life.
Iyanla says Seabiscuit had to be trained to win. She says one trainer recognized himself in Seabiscuit and he took it upon himself to train the horse to win. Iyanla says the trainer trained Seabiscuit to win by letting go of the reins instead of reigning in the horse. She says Iyanla has to do the same with Niambi; she has to let her go. She says Niambi is not prepared to graduate. She says Niambi's vision is not clear enough yet. Niambi starts crying and Iyanla asks her how she feels. Niambi says she is tired of hearing she is "brilliant, but..." and "I love you, but..." Iyanla says that she is saying "and" and not "but." She says she is saying, "You’re brilliant AND you need to get your vision clear."
Niambi says she didn't get to do what she came to the house to do. Iyanla tells Niambi she is not done. She says, however, that Niambi needs to figure out why she has a lack of clarity. She says that is the work Niambi needs to do. In the confessional, Iyanla says Niambi's lack of vision speaks to a deeper issue and she thinks Niambi can deal with that issue when she leaves the house.
Preview: Niambi learns what her fate in the house will be. After weeks of planning, Christie faces her biggest challenge, but she isn't alone. The women look back at the house that changed their lives forever.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Antonia Graduates and Jill's Father Visits
The show begins with Antonia in the confessional talking about graduating today. She is very excited and says she has "really started over." Jennie McNulty, a representative of Curves, arrives to lead the women in a workout at the tennis court. In the confessional, Sommer says it is freezing outside, she is tired, and she just doesn't feel like working out. The women jog around the tennis court a few times and then Jenny gives them some tips on running the 5k.
In the confessional, Jill says her family on her father's side is coming to the house today. She says she has some trepidation about the meeting.
Rhonda arrives and in the confessional she says she wants to be sure that Christie understands how organizing and running the 5k applies to Christie's life. Rhonda tells Christie that she wants her to go get her body painted today as a way of fully expressing herself. In the confessional, Rhonda says this assignment will determine whether Christie has overcome her body issues. She tells Christie that she will be wearing a bikini top and shorts to have her body painted. In the confessional, Christie says she is thinking, "Holy crap," when Rhonda tells her about the assignment and she doesn't want to do it.
The women gather for group and Iyanla arrives. Iyanla calls Antonia up to sit next to her and asks her how she feels about graduating today. Antonia says she knows now that she can finish what she starts and that she can work hard to fix things in her life. Iyanla tells Antonia that she will be getting a makeover from Andy Paige today and then brings in Andy. Andy asks Antonia's housemates whether they have suggestions for the makeover. Jodi says she thinks Antonia should be open to getting her eyebrows done. Jill agrees and says it would give Antonia a polished look. Antonia is against it however, and in the confessional she says she is not going to do it. Andy and Antonia leave and group is adjourned.
Jill's father, stepmother, and two brothers arrive at the house. In the confessional, Jill says she can't explain the joy she is feeling at having her father's side of the family all come to see her.
Christie leaves to go get her body painted. She arrive at the Beauty Academy and meets with Jeff Siegel. In the confessional, Christie says she is nervous about this assignment, but is going to talk herself through it. Christie lies down on a table and Jeff and another man begin painting Christie's arms.
Antonia and Andy arrive at the clothing store called Ma Jolie, and meet with the owner, Lisa Stern. Antonia tries on various outfits and finds one she is very excited about wearing for her graduation.
Iyanla, Jill, and Jill's family sit down to talk. Iyanla thanks them for coming and asks Jill's father, Leonard, whether he has anything to share with Jill. Leonard says he is not an "advocate" of looking to the past and wishing things were different, but he is an advocate of looking to the future and hoping for things to come. He says back when Jill was conceived, he was living a very "self-centered" existence. He said there was a stigma concerned with having a child out of wedlock back then, so when he found out Jill's mom was pregnant, he "did the right thing" and married her. He says, however, that then his selfishness took over, and he wasn't able to stick it out in the marriage, and they winded up getting a divorce.
Iyanla asks Jill how she feels about what her father has said. Jill says she feels that she and her father made a mistake (when her mom got pregnant with her). Jill won't look at her father as she is speaking and Iyanla tells her to look at him. Jill starts crying. Iyanla tells Jill she has waited 40 years to talk to her father, and she needs to talk to him now. She says, "you can do it."
Jill is crying and she tells her father that she feels like she was a mistake. Leonard says that is far from true. He says he and Jill's mom never felt that way about her. He says he was just lost back then. Iyanla then asks Jill to share what she knows about the events that led to her father leaving. Jill says she was told that Leonard came home from the military, and when Jill's mom told him she was pregnant, he decided he didn't want a family and he left. Leonard agrees that this is basically the way it happened. In the confessional, Jill says she was thinking all along that perhaps the story her mom told her about Leonard wasn't true, but it turns out it is the truth. She says the realization is the closest she has come to feeling stabbed.
Jill says the biggest question she has is why Leonard never contacted her. She says his lack of contact made her feel that she was unwanted her whole life. Leonard then "humbly" asks Jill to find it in her heart to forgive him. Jill is crying, and so is Leonard and Leonard's wife. Jill tells her father that she forgives him and that she looks forward to their relationship as adult father and daughter. Leonard then asks his two sons who are also there (Brad and Winston) to forgive him as well because his early decisions fractured the family.
One of Jill's brothers, Winston, then speaks up. He says in their family they don't normally open up or get emotional. He says he knows how difficult it is for Leonard to be so open now, and he tells Jill that what their father is saying is genuine and truly heartfelt. He also tells Jill that he and Brad want a relationship with her too. Jill's step mom, Celeste, then says the dad Jill sees today is a "new dad." She says Leonard is being sincere and that "it's real." She says Jill will find love, support, and caring from them. Leonard and Jill then hug each other.
Andy and Antonia arrive at Wax Poetic to have Antonia's brows waxed. Andy thinks it might turn out to be difficult since Antonia's eyebrows are an "issue" for her. Antonia is initially nervous, but then lies down and has her eyebrows be waxed. When it is done, Antonia looks much different and she really likes her new look.
Rhonda gathers the housemates and brings in Christie (who is back from having her body painted). Rhonda tells the women that the body paint was a way for Christie to express herself. Christie shows them the artwork on her arms. In the confessional, Rhonda says it is now time to see whether Christie knows how the 5k applies to her (Christie's) life. Rhonda asks Christie how it applies, and Christie says it reaffirms that she can do challenging things in her life and not "breakdown." She says she has truly learned to love and accept herself. Rhonda then brings out a gift bag for Christie. Inside the bag, Christie finds a pair of running shoes. Inside one of the shoes is a scroll; the scroll reads, "you're graduating." She shows the women and they all hug and congratulate her.
SO graduate, Kelly, arrives, and with her is Antonia's roommate from college and best friend, Danielle. Rhonda, Stan, and Iyanla arrive next. Everyone gathers and waits for Antonia to arrive for her graduation.
Antonia comes in and is very excited to see Kelly and Danielle. She hugs them and then takes a seat as Iyanla goes to the podium.
Iyanla says that Antonia brought power and energy to the starting over house. She says Antonia came into the house thinking she was a "grown-ass woman," but then realized she was mistaken. Iyanla says Antonia came to the house to clear up her debt, and then they flashback to Antonia's meeting with Robert Kiyosaki. Iyanla then says Antonia looked at an issue she didn't want to face; her issue with her father. They flashback to the exercise she and Iyanla did called "pin the dollars on the daddy." Iyanla says Antonia wasn't ready to go any further with that issue after that. In the confessional, Iyanla says that as Antonia matures she will be able to reconnect with her father and deal with those issues. Iyanla continues her speech and says that she and Antonia then moved onto practical steps Antonia needed to take to get out of debt. She says Antonia faced the mountain, which represented her debt, and they flashback to Antonia making her way up the mountain while her housemates blocked her way. Iyanla says her hope for Antonia is that she continues to allow life to bring her people and experiences that call forth her genuine nature. Iyanla and Antonia hug and Antonia cries.
Stan goes to the podium next. He says it sometimes takes him years to help a patient reveal her authentic self. He says it took one minute for Antonia. He says he realized that Antonia had not made the transition from childhood to adulthood. He says that as they unpeeled her layers they also found Antonia's "ethical self." He says Antonia has now made the transition to adult life. He hugs and congratulates Antonia.
Jodi is next to the podium. She says she is joyful for Antonia, but also sad because their journey together is ending. She says she became friends with Antonia, and they became like sisters. She says she then found herself wanting her mother Antonia and saw her as the child she never had. She tells Antonia she is proud of her and that she loves her. They hug.
Niambi goes to the podium next. She says she can't do this without crying, even though that is usually not the way she is. She tells Antonia she loves her and that at times in the house, Antonia was the only person with whom she felt safe. She says there were times when the only reason she stayed in the house was because Antonia was there. She says she doesn't want Antonia to leave, but that she deserves to graduate. She says Antonia has an innocence and a passion, and she wants to "be just like you when I grow up." She tells Antonia she will always be there for her. She is crying and tells Antonia she loves her. Antonia, who is also crying, tells Niambi that she loves her too. They hug.
Rhonda, Iyanla, and Antonia then go to the podium, and Rhonda presents Antonia with her gifts. They are giving her $1500 towards rent, and $1500 towards buying new furniture. Antonia is very excited and appreciative. Iyanla then presents Antonia with her trophy, which reads, "Antonia, Rich in Spirit-Starting Over 2006."
Antonia then goes to the podium. She says when she got to the house, her life was in shambles and she was sinking. She says Starting Over chose her and that proves that everything happens for a reason. She says to Iyanla that she can't express in words her gratitude. She tells Stan that he is "one hell of a man," and Stan says she is "one hell of a woman." She say to Rhonda that she (Rhonda) has "as much passion" as she does. She says she knows now that all three of them were only there to help her. She says to Jodi that she didn't know what to do when Jodi graduated and she thought Jodi was leaving the house. She tells Jodi they will always be in touch with each other. She tells Niambi that they share the same language, but that Niambi's "heart is weak." She says she wants to see Niambi's heart grow strong. She says she and Niambi will "grow old together." She says the house has changed her life forever. Everybody hugs and congratulates her.
Iyanla brings Antonia out by the pool to light her candle. In the confessional, Antonia says her hope for herself is that she continues to be a responsible adult and she knows the "best is yet to come."
Jill, Jodi, and Christie are in the living room talking. Jill is telling them about how her father asked her for forgiveness. In the confessional, Jill says now that she has addressed her father, she desperately needs to have a conversation with her mother.
Preview: Christie could be in for the most dramatic makeover of her life. Niambi struggles to stay positive in the house. Jill tries to heal old wounds.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Someone Is Going To Graduate
The show begins with Jennie McNulty from Curves arriving. Niambi is on the phone with Situation Man (Lucius), and tells him that she has a sprained knee and twisted right ankle. In the confessional, Niambi says she called Lucius because he gives her a lift and tends to make her feel better.
The women go outside to have a workout with Jennie. Niambi can't workout with the women because of her injuries, so she sits on the sidelines and watches. In the confessional, Christie says it is hard to be in the house with Niambi. She says Niambi doesn't like her and is not taking the 5k race seriously because she (Christie) is the one organizing it.
Later Antonia is in the kitchen telling Niambi that she has decided against bankruptcy. In the confessional, she says bankruptcy is definitely a "no-go." In the confessional, Niambi says she is being an ear for Antonia, but is not trying to guide her decision. She says Antonia has a strong personality and couldn't be guided by her anyway.
Rhonda arrives and the women meet for group. Rhonda opens the plasma and shows a definition of bankruptcy. The definition says it means "utter failure or impoverished." Antonia says that is why she hates it and would never do it. Rhonda asks the women if anyone else has been bankrupt. Christie says she has been "emotionally bankrupt." Rhonda says many women at some time in their lives have been emotionally or spiritually bankrupt. She says that women often tend to fill up the "bankrupt" feeling with meaningless things, which only makes the void deeper (like food, alcohol, etc). Rhonda says money, for example, won't make you happy, and even if you married a man with a billion dollars, you still wouldn't feel proud or satisfied if you are emotionally bankrupt.
Rhonda asks the women about their worst period of bankruptcy in their lives. Christie says it is when she went to detox. She says she had to go through the detox all by herself. Jodi says Christie is very brave to have put herself into detox. Christie says she has compassion now for the person she used to be. Antonia says she was at her worst when she was avoiding creditors by not answering her phone or opening her mail. She says she was at the point of wanting to give up. Rhonda then announces that tonight they are having a board of review. In the confessional, Niambi says she has already gotten one "C," and if she gets another she will be asked to leave. In the confessional, Christie says she thinks Niambi is doing "C" work and she is not sure she should be off probation. Group is adjourned.
Rhonda arrives at a park and meets with Christie to go over the 5k course. They walk the course together and Rhonda asks Christie who she is worried about in the house. Christie says she is worried about Niambi. Rhonda asks whether Christie can count on Niambi. Christie says she thinks Niambi will do what she has to do, but that she is resisting her (Christie). In the confessional, Rhonda says the tension between Christie and Niambi is high and she is concerned about Niambi's ability to change.
Iyanla arrives and meets with Antonia. Iyanla tells Antonia she wants to acknowledge her effort yesterday in getting up the hill because it was rough. Antonia says it was rough and that her "tears welled up," but she didn't let them fall. Iyanla asks her why not, and Antonia says because tears mean weakness. Iyanla tells her that isn't true, and that tears can wash away negative thoughts and feelings. She then tells Antonia that that there is a distinction between a goal and a vision. She says a goal is merely work without a vision to which that goal will lead. She says a goal and a vision are part of a co-creative process. In the confessional, Iyanla says she is proud of Antonia taking ownership of her debt and is ready to honor her commitments.
Later in the day, Iyanla comes to the front door and announces that she has a special guest. All the women gather and then SO graduate, Jill, comes in. Jodi rushes over to hug her and says how happy she is to see her. Iyanla says Jill has had some major developments in her life and says that Jill has been in contact with her father. Jill says the first thing he said when they met was, "I love you." She says he apologized for how everything turned out. Iyanla says Jill is having difficulties with her mom as a result of Jill contacting her dad. In the confessional, Iyanla says Jill has come back to the SO house because it is a safe environment in which to deal with these issues.
Jill and Iyanla go to speak one-on-one. Jill says she told her mom that she might go to Vegas to spend Christmas with her dad, and her mom is upset. Iyanla says Jill did not move back to Miami after she left the house, and that her mom does not like to live alone. She says Jill's mom raised Jill all alone and now Jill is going to see her dad. She asks Jill how that might make her mom feel. Jill says her mom feels abandoned. Iyanla asks if she is abandoning her mom, and Jill says no.
In the confessional, Jill says when she is at odds with her mom, she feels at odds with herself. Jill tells Iyanla that she can't appreciate her newfound relationship with her dad because of the situation with her mom. Iyanla asks Jill how this stress is showing up in her life. Jill says she hasn't been eating the cupcake, but she has eaten its second cousin, the doughnut. Iyanla laughs and tells Jill she's crazy. Then they move on and Iyanla tells Jill that she (Jill) is experiencing mind-blowing events in her life right now. In the confessional, Jill says she wants to have a relationship with both her mom and her dad.
Iyanla asks Jill how she feels about her dad having two sons who he did raise. Jill says when she went to visit her dad, she found out he lives in this big, amazing house and they showed her videos of past Christmases, etc., and she felt like, "why didn't I get this?" Iyanla asks whether her two brothers knew about her and she says they didn't. Jill says she needs answers from her father, and she can't move ahead with a relationship with him until she gets them. Iyanla tells her she has invited her father to the house. Jill looks stunned by the news.
Antonia goes over the 5k budget with Christie. In the confessional, Christie says she knew she could count on Sommer and Jodi to help her, but she is blown away by how successfully Antonia has kept them under budget.
Iyanla and Jill continue talking. Iyanla says he told Jill's father that when Jill takes one-step towards him, he should take 1 1/2 steps because Jill was not a missing daughter; he was a missing father. Iyanla tells Jill not to let this challenge in her life regulate who she is as a person. Iyanla tells her that her dad and other members of that side of the family are going to be arriving in the morning.
The women gather for the BoR; Iyanla and Rhonda arrive. Rhonda goes over the grade structure and then Iyanla calls Niambi to the podium. Niambi states her goal and Rhonda asks her what she is doing well. Niambi says she is adjusting well, listening, and is conscious of her decisions and choices. Rhonda asks what she is not doing well. Niambi says she is suspicious and paranoid. Iyanla asks about what. Niambi says she is suspicious of people's intentions and paranoid that she doesn't have what it takes to make it in the house. Iyanla asks her what grade she would give herself. Niambi says she would give herself a "B." Iyanla asks the women one thing Niambi needs to work on. Jodi says she needs to acknowledge her weaknesses and that she still has a tough exterior. Christie says she needs to be more trusting of all of them. In the confessional, Christie says she is not sure Niambi has the capacity to embrace the process.
Rhonda asks the women whether Niambi should stay or go. All of them say she should stay, but Christie hesitates before saying it. Rhonda says her philosophy in life is to assume innocence. She says Niambi has yet to master that. Iyanla says Niambi's story is heartbreaking. She says Niambi was abandoned by everyone in her life. Niambi starts crying with her face down and while covering her eyes with her hands. Rhonda tells her to look up and allow them to see her. Niambi uncovers her eyes, but can't look at them. Iyanla says it must be unbearable to stand in the depth of Niambi's heartbreak. She says she herself couldn't do it. She says the most tragic part is that Niambi has abandoned herself and she doesn't know how to call Niambi back home. Iyanla then reveals Niambi's grade; she gives her a "B." She tells Niambi she would have given her and "A" if she would have trusted herself and asked for it. She says you get what you ask for... Niambi takes her seat.
Rhonda then calls Christie to the podium. In the confessional, Christie says she has been so busy that she didn't expect to get called up today. Iyanla asks Christie what she is doing well and Christie says she is doing "everything pretty well." Iyanla asks her what she needs to work on. Christie says she needs to trust herself more. Rhonda asks her what grade she would give herself, and Christie says an "A, definitely." Iyanla says Christie has a light that is very brilliant, but that Christie can't always see it. She says Christie has a sweetness and a genuineness about her. Rhonda says Christie doesn't always see how much love there is. She says Christie came into the house punishing herself and accepting scraps of love. Rhonda says Christie is going to have a test tomorrow and if she passes, she graduates. If she fails, she won't graduate. Christie asks what the test is, but Rhonda says she will find out tomorrow. Then Rhonda gives Christie her "grade," which is a blank piece of paper.
Iyanla then calls Antonia up to the podium. Rhonda asks her what she is doing well, and Antonia says she has contacted all her creditors, etc. Iyanla asks what grade she would give herself and Antonia says she would give herself an "A" because she has done all the work. Rhonda asks the women to name one good change in Antonia. Christie says Antonia asks questions and is willing to listen. Jodi says Antonia is open to feedback and is now a "woman." Rhonda says Antonia has a passion that is electric and contagious. She says she hopes Antonia will always keep her innocence and her passion. Iyanla says she always gets the "babies" (younger housemates). She says Antonia is edgy and brassy and thought she knew all the answers, when in reality she didn't even know the question. She says she wants Antonia to take the edge off a little. Iyanla says that as long as Antonia does that she will maintain the grade she is going to give her.
Iyanla then reveals Antonia's grade, which is an "A" and has a graduation cap on top of it. Iyanla says Antonia is graduating, and Antonia starts crying, thanks Iyanla, and then goes over and hugs her and Rhonda. In the confessional, Christie says she is "thrilled" for Antonia, but she wonders what hoops she has to jump through in order to graduate. The board of review is concluded.
Antonia is very happy and goes and tells Jill that she is graduating. Jill is very excited for her. Christie, on the other hand, is upset that she is not graduating. She talks to Jodi about it, and Jodi says she feels her pain. Christie is crying and hugs Jill. In the confessional, Christie says she is frustrated and "pissed." Jill tells Christie that she will tell her what Iyanla told her: "To whom much is given, much is required."
Later in the evening, Niambi is getting ready for bed. In the confessional, Niambi says she is happy she wasn't asked to leave, but a "B" is not an "A" and there is room for improvement.
Jodi and Jill are in the bedroom talking. Jill says her mom asked her what she (her mom) was getting out of Jill meeting her father. Jill says her mother doesn't understand that this is the best thing she could do for herself. She is crying because she is sad that her mom is not supporting her. She says it is hard to feel good about it and that it breaks her heart that her mom isn't there for her. In the confessional, Jill says she is disappointed that her mom won't walk this journey with her. Jill tells Jodi that her mother should know better and she can't believe her mom doesn't know she loves her.
Preview for next week: Christie is at the end of her rope. Jill isn't prepared for what her father has to say. The women say goodbye to Antonia. Dozens of faces from the past turn up to support Christie on her big day.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Climbing The Mountain
The show begins with Antonia arriving at the dentist's office. In the confessional, she says she is afraid that the procedure to fix her tooth might hurt, and she is also concerned about the cost. The dentist, Dr. Mark Stern, tells her that he can patch the tooth, but it would only be a temporary fix. He says to permanently fix it would cost around $900. Antonia goes for the temporary patch, which winds up costing her $200.
Rhonda arrives to meet with Christie. In the confessional, Rhonda says Christie has not prepared a detailed "battle plan" for her 5k run. Rhonda tells Christie that she only has four days left before the race. She tells her she needs to make a detailed list of each person's job, etc. She then tells Christie that she uses her lack of a college education as an excuse for not knowing things. She says it is time to eliminate this belief and is going to send over a very successful woman who doesn't have a college degree who can talk to Christie. Rhonda tells Christie that she might like to ask this woman to be her mentor.
Iyanla arrives to meet with Niambi (who is still dragging around her shadow, "Sasha.") Iyanla asks Niambi about the sign she made on the day Sommer found out she was graduating, which announced that she (Niambi) too was graduating. Niambi says it was sort of a joke and she probably did it because she is concerned about having an opportunity to finish what she started in the house. Iyanla tells her that graduating is a simple process and that all she has to do is complete her steps. She says, however, taht there are things standing in the way of Niambi completing her steps. She tells Niambi to put on her sweats and meet her outside.
Christie gets the t-shirt designed for promotion of the 5k. She shows the other housemates and they all really like it.
Niambi meets Iyanla outside at the tennis court. Iyanla has set up a hurdle with signs attached that describe each of Niambi's goals. In the confessional, Iyanla says Niambi believes she can solve any problem all by herself and doesn't need anyone's help. Iyanla tells Niambi to jump over the hurdle with "Sasha" still attached to her ankle. Niambi tries, but can't quite make it over the hurdle with Sasha attached. Iyanla tells Niambi that there is no harm in saying she is not ready, and there is no shame in asking for help. Niambi tries to jump the hurdle several times and finally makes it over, but Sasha has become unattached from her ankle in the process. In the confessional, Iyanla says Niambi has become very familiar with Sasha now and therefore it is time to create the flip side of Niambi's shadow--the powerful, beautiful side of Niambi. Iyanla tells Niambi that Sasha is not bad; she was simply necessary.
In the confessional, Iyanla says Niambi has excelled at everything in her life, but is having a difficult time opening up and taking care of herself. She says she can sense Niambi's frustration and fear, and she feels that Niambi may not be ready for the next step. Iyanla tells Niambi about her new assignment--to attach tags to the other side of her shadow with the positive aspects of her personality. She also tells her that she no longer has to drag Sasha, but can carry her around now.
Antonia returns from the dentist and tells her housemates that she got a temporary fix and can't afford a permanent one right now. Then Iyanla arrives with Edward Jamison, a consumer credit debt consultant. Iyanla has Edward speak to Antonia about bankruptcy options. Edward tells Antonia about the different kinds of bankruptcy, and suggest that bankruptcy probably won't damage her credit more more than it is already damaged. Antonia says, however, that she will not go into bankruptcy no matter what. Antonia says bankruptcy is a nightmare word for her and she is strongly against it and will not change her mind.
After meeting with the credit counselor, Iyanla and Antonia go outside and Antonia shows Iyanla the flag she created. Iyanla really likes it. In the confessional, Iyanla says Antonia has a very steep climb ahead of her if she wants to eliminate debt and it won't be easy. She tells Antonia that there will be obstacles in her way and she brings out several blank white flags. On the flags, Iyanla writes potential obstacles in Antonia's path. She writes, lazy, attitude, etc. She tells Antonia that she is going to meet her later to demonstrate how these obstacles can get in her way to the top.
Cheryl Bianchi arrives to meet with Christie. Cheryl is a woman who is very successful in charity work and she does not have a college degree. Cheryl gives Christie advice on delegating tasks and tells her that she doesn't need a college degree to be successful. She says one of the best skills she herself has is in "rallying the troops." In the confessional, Christie says she realizes now that when she goes to get a job, they won't be looking at her education as much as they will be looking at her experience. She also thinks Cheryl would be a good person to inspire her.
Iyanla gathers the women (with the exception of Antonia) and tells them she needs their help with an assignment for Antonia. She gives them each one of the flags that have an obstacle written on it, and tells them that they are to symbolize Antonia's obstacles to becoming debt-free. She tells them they are all going to be going to a hill and they are to block Antonia's attempt to climb up the hill.
All the women are now at the hill and Antonia and Iyanla are there too. Iyanla tells Antonia that Jodi is going to be her support as she tries to climb up the fairly steep hill. Jodi and Antonia start going up the hill together. Jodi is at first encouraging Antonia and telling her she can make it. Iyanla has a bullhorn and as Antonia and Jodi make their way up the hill, she calls out, "we aware of obstacles," and "watch out for snakes," etc.
Antonia and Jodi get to the first "obstacle," which is Niambi. Niambi blocks Antonia's way and Antonia has to put a lot of effort into getting around her. She finally makes her way past Niambi by going through her legs. In the confessional, Antonia says she had to be like a "bull" to get past Niambi. She says that her body is weak and she is starting to feel numb. At this point, Jodi "turns" on Antonia and starts telling her it's too hard and they should just go back down the hill and give up. Antonia rests for a second, and then continues up the hill. She gets to Christie next and starts getting angry and frustrated that she is blocking her way. Meanwhile Jodi is shouting, "give up, Antonia!!" Antonia starts crying and is sits down to rest for a minute. Then she gets back up and keeps making her way up the hill. She keeps going past Sommer and finally sees the flag at the top of the hill. In the confessional, Antonia says the flag represents freedom to her. She gets to the top and waves the flag triumphantly.
In the confessional, Iyanla says she is impressed with Antonia's determination, but is concerned with how difficult she made it on herself. Antonia tells Iyanla that she could have made it up the hill all by herself and didn't really need any support. Iyanla tells her it isn't about getting up the hill; it is about how she got up the hill. She says the issue is how Antonia handled the struggle; not the struggle itself. In the confessional, Antonia says the easy path would have been bankruptcy. She says she would rather go through the sweat, dirt, and tears of paying off her debt, however, because she will appreciate herself more if she does that.
Niambi is limping after the exercise and in the confessional Iyanla says she is concerned that Niambi isn't asking for help. Iyanla says it is a perfect example of Niambi's issues. Iyanla says she is sending Niambi to an urgent care center to be checked out. She says that is difficult for Niambi because Niambi sees being hurt as a weakness.
The women return home and Rhonda arrives for group. Rhonda talks about mentoring and asks the women what it means to have/be a mentor. Jodi says she thinks you have to have a mentor because she probably wouldn't have made it to where she is without one. Christie says a mentor is a role model and is someone she can trust to give good advice. Rhonda says a mentor is someone you respect and admire who has the knowledge that you want to have. Rhonda then brings up Christie's assignment to make a board with an itinerary and assigned tasks for the 5k. She says she wants to go over it in a little while. In the confessional, Christie says she is nervous because she hasn't done the board yet.
After group, the women go into the room where Christie has her board set up; it is blank. She gets Sommer to write on the board the tasks of each woman, and they try to finish it before Rhonda comes in to see it. Christie assigns Antonia the job of budget coordinator, and in the confessional, Antonia says she is honored that Christie believes in her to do that job.
Rhonda comes in and looks at the board. In the confessional, Rhonda says nothing much has been written on the board. She asks to see the budget, and realizes that it isn't complete. Rhonda seems displeased and tells Christie that she asked her to complete these tasks three days ago. Christie says she got confused and didn't understand what she was supposed to do. Rhonda says she went over it with Christie and she doesn't believe that Christie was confused. Christie insists that she was confused.
Rhonda then tells all the women that from now on the 5k is a group effort and if one of them drops the ball, the whole project fails. Rhonda tells them to get everything together because tonight is the night to solidify plans for the race. In the confessional, Sommer says she believe there will be tension in the house in the coming days as they rush to get this project done.
Afterwards, Antonia calls one of her creditors and gets transferred around and has to wait to speak with someone. In the confessional, Antonia says if it takes sitting on the phone for hours, she will do it in order to clear up her debt. She says she is going to get it done one day at a time.
Niambi arrives back from the urgent care center. In the confessional, she says the doctor told her to keep both ankles elevated. She says they are both sprained. She says today was an exhausting day and she needs some down time.
Christie and Sommer are working on the plans for the 5k and Christie says she isn't going to ask Niambi for help tonight. In the confessional, Christie says it's obvious that Niambi is in no mood to help. In the confessional, Niambi says she is exhausted, tired, and frustrated. She says she is not as close to completing her goal as she thought and she has a lot of work ahead of her.
Preview: Niambi wonders if she'll make it to the end of the day (Rhonda announces a BoR). And Niambi's fate could be in Christie's hands. An SO graduate (Jill) returns to face a huge obstacle.
