Welcome to the second Southern Charm recap of Season 10! In the season premiere last week, the Charmers reunited at the Carolina Cup. We met new cast member Molly O’Connell, who has a past with Craig but wants a future with Whitney. After his near-death experience in Costa Rica, JT wanted to make amends with the group, especially Austen. He handed out canes as a peace offering, but things went south when he tried to give one to Patricia. In his new relationship, Austen claimed to be a changed man, but Leva heard otherwise. This week, cane-gate continued, and JT’s peace with Austen instantly fell apart.
What happened in Southern Charm Season 10 Episode 2?
JT realizes why his offer was not o-cane. But before he can make nice, he sets Craig off by repeating Leva’s rumors about Austen. At Easter Dinner, Craig makes some bold claims about JT, but the editors come through with receipts. Nevertheless, Craig’s embellishment of the truth has consequences. It seems this episode set up the dramatic fights we saw in the flash forward at the end of the premiere. Also, Shep shocks everyone by referencing Pontius Pilate in his Easter toast. Here’s what else went down in “Off the Peep End.”
Taylor and Shep are never, ever, ever getting back together
After he made a FaceTime cameo in the premiere, we officially met Taylor’s new boyfriend Gaston this week. Taylor reveals they went on an “accidental date” when a mutual friend backed out at the last minute. When it was just the two of them, she giddily recalls, “He asked if he could kiss me and I said…yes.”
As they play pickleball, Taylor reflects on how her new love is “night and day” from her last relationship. For one thing, they’re closer in age. “Gaston makes me feel like I’m good enough,” she says, “and that’s new for me.” Shep, meanwhile, shades Gaston as looking like “a villain from The Bourne Identity.” And he’s convinced Taylor’s family wants them to get back together.
Speaking of Shep, he introduces viewers to his new girlfriend Sienna. Or should I say, based on Madison’s recent comments, “girlfriend?” They met on a dating site, and Shep was immediately “enthralled” by the beauty queen. “I just think she’s so sexy,” he gushes, “There’s no one else who looks like her. I think the whole country of the Bahamas would agree since she is Miss Bahamas.” He can’t resist getting a dig in at Taylor, saying Sienna is much more driven and successful at only 26 years old. Meanwhile, I can’t tell if their conversation is actually awkward, or if it just feels that way because we know this relationship doesn’t last.
JT is moving on up
JT shows off his AirBnb properties to his mom and sister, who painted a marsh landscape for decor. He brings up the Carolina Cup to ask both women for advice, admitting it was a “dumb move.” His mom advises him to write an apology letter, and he agrees. But alas, cane-gate is about to get worse, no thanks to Craig.
In addition to his impressive The Inns properties, JT has a swanky new pad of his own. Later in the episode, he shows off his new apartment, which has an absolutely stunning view of the steeples of Charleston. It’s definitely better scenery than his last place, which looked down at a U-Haul station. While admiring the view, Venita adorably says the only downside of his new location is that he’s not a five-minute walk from her anymore. He sweetly promises to keep up their usual breakfast plans, even if he has to drive.
The guys gossip over virtual golf
Shep, Craig, and JT meet up for a simulated version of golf. JT’s injury means he can’t play as well as he usually does at regular golf. So, he starts chatting instead.
JT thinks he got the cold shoulder from Madison, and has a theory as to why. He reminds the guys that Madison dressed up in his clothes and did an impression of him in Jamaica. Afterward, he claimed, Brett “got weird” and seemingly wondered if they hooked up. In a confessional, JT does an impression of Madison calling him later to (allegedly) have him verify nothing happened between the two of them.
JT also goes full Charlie from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia over Madison and Austen’s matching patterns at the Carolina Cup. As much as I laughed at the graphic, I think we got our explanation for the polka dots. When she greeted Austen, Madison made a comment that polka dots were on the invitation. So much has happened since these two dated, it’s okay if they’re friendly now!
While Craig can laugh at the conspiracy theories, he flips out when JT repeats what he heard about Austen from Leva. As Craig sees it, JT was just making nice with Austen, and now he’s going after him like it was last year. Even Venita, JT’s biggest ally, thinks he needs to cool off Austen for a bit. “Words matter,” Shep says to JT as Craig storms out. Based on what happens later, Shep needed to impart that lesson on Craig too.
Craig embellishes the truth at Easter dinner
Well, we have an explanation for the flash-forward that ended the premiere. And, unless more comes out, it looks like Craig owes JT an apology.
Craig claims that JT called Patricia a b*tch, and stands by this when a producer asks him about it in a confessional. However, editors roll the tapes, and there’s no footage of JT using the word “b*tch.” He also never says “affair,” so that’s two words Craig put in JT’s mouth. This reminds Shep of Craig’s lies about graduating from law school. But the others take Craig at his word. Especially Austen, who feels vindicated about not liking JT.
“He’ll be the b*tch when I’m done with him,” Madison declares. She is not thrilled to hear that JT alleged Brett thinks they’re having an affair. He didn’t quite say that, of course, but that’s how Craig tells it. Earlier in the episode, Madison emotionally shared that Brett was diagnosed with thyroid cancer around their first wedding anniversary. While they were able to get rid of the cancer, he’s still having complications. Madison also reveals that Brett’s health scare put off their plans to start a family. So, gossip about her marriage is the last thing she needs.
Patricia ships Whitney and Molly (but it doesn’t go as planned)
After hearing others talk about her son’s potential love interest, Patricia tries to play matchmaker for Whitney and Molly. She even seats them next to each other at Easter dinner. Molly continues to be a delightful, very relatable, and promising addition to the show. Like Whitney, she’s also a trained musician- in her case, a euphonium player. So, it’s no wonder Patricia would love her to stick around.
But the unsubtle set-up doesn’t go as planned. As Molly enjoys her cupcake sandwich, Whitney rudely says she shouldn’t have anymore. Everyone justifiably gasped at how uncalled for this “joke” was. However, Whitney tries to excuse himself by bringing up that he’s known Molly for a decade. But to Molly, that’s exactly why he should be more sensitive. This comes right after she opened up about her hormone condition, and the medication that makes her gain weight, which Shep jokes is the “opposite of Ozempic.” Whitney already knows about her struggles with her body image, and you’d assume he’d be more considerate.
Guess we’re two for two on episodes ending on major faux pas from the guys this season! Meanwhile, Patricia wonders if it’s time to give up on grandchildren and get a kitten instead.
Catch new episodes of Southern Charm Thursdays on Bravo.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED BY CRAIG’S CLAIMS VERSUS WHAT JT ACTUALLY SAID? DOES CRAIG OWE HIM AN APOLOGY? DID WHITNEY CROSS A LINE WITH HIS COMMENT TO MOLLY?
