Welcome to the recap for The Valley Season 2 Episode 1. Last season, fans watched as most of the cast went from bottle service to baby bottles after moving to Valley Village and putting down roots. Familiar faces flooded the small screen, and it seemed like Kristen, Jax, and Brittany were all thriving away from SUR. Along with some newbies, Season 1 was a smash. Thanks to their bickering and inevitable separation, Jesse and Michelle were the breakout stars. Now, as we head into a new summer, there seems to be even more trouble in paradise. So here’s exactly what went down in The Valley Season 2, Episode 1: “Separation Anxiety.”
It’s Brit’s party and Jax will cry if he wants to on The Valley Season 2
It’s hard to feel bad for Jax. After years of gaslighting and manipulating the people around him, the villain of Bravo is finally reconciling his life choices. But Jax has some coping tools, like his beloved leaf blower, to keep him busy while everything — and I mean everything — is falling apart around him. The gang is fractured, thanks to the fallout of the season finale between Zack, Kristen, and Janet. The episode got off to a quick start as Jax and his bad choices were the topic of conversation. Viewers had little time to settle in as both Brittany and Jax opened up about a recent altercation.
The former bartender reveals that he caught a glimpse of B’s iPad and clocked that she was still talking to her former flame and his BFF, Julian. Bless our Kentucky muffin, who admitted she had sent a sexy video, and naturally, Jax wasn’t too thrilled. In a dramatic reenactment, B explains that Jax “flipped the coffee table, and it hit my knee. It was terrifying.” The mother of one shared that Jax berated her and accused her of cheating, even though they were separated.
According to Brittany, Jax snapped, and his anger came pouring out. Not only did it scare Brittany, but their son Cruz was in the next room listening to the yelling. Jax admitted that this wasn’t the type of man he wanted to be for his son, claiming, “I don’t want him to see how I’m treating his mother.” Brittany revealed she was at her wits’ end. As Jax shares, they “are so toxic and broken.”
Jesse is thriving on his own terms
Jesse Lally is living his best life, and evidently, that means organizing your suits by color. Fans get their first glimpse of Jesse in his home preparing a snack for his daughter, Isabella. He and Michelle have been living separately, and co-parenting hasn’t been the easiest. Jesse tells the cameras, “She moved out, and it was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders.” According to Jesse, the separation is not going well, and they argue all the time about everything. Yup, sounds like a divorce.
Luckily, Jesse and Jax have one another to lean on. Nothing says I’m not over a relationship like throwing a party on the same night as your estranged wife. Brittany wanted to celebrate her newfound freedom with a summer white party, and Jax just wanted to pop her bubble. But let’s be honest; the parties didn’t compare. B’s was catered, and the drinks were flowing. While Jax, Tom Schwartz, Tom’s brother, and some random dudes all joined forces at Jax’s Studio City to talk about how much life sucked. A bunch of Debbie Downers if you ask me.
Janet tries a power move on Kristen
I think it’s safe to say that these two will never see eye to eye. After insinuating on a podcast that Zack and Kristen almost cost her a full-term pregnancy, Kristen has written the new mom off. The duo seemed to call a truce, but very quickly, the ceasefire ended. Janet is ready for a good night that includes a few cocktails after Season 1 showed her pregnant for the entire time. However, she can’t jump right into that Cosmo just yet as there is still some unfinished business with Kristen. Sadly, Kristen got lumped in with Zack’s “demonic behavior” and was the target of a lot of Janet’s bullying. The two ladies decide to have a sit-down to clear the air. But nothing was resolved. Kristen was looking for a sincere apology without gaslighting, but Janet fell short.
The mother of one was waiting for Kristen to apologize for her actions but was left gobsmacked. Kristen, in fact, chose to double down, noting everything she said turned out to be the truth. Janet couldn’t hear anymore and ended the conversation after Kristen told her she needed to work on herself. Cameras caught Janet storming off with Jason falling in line quickly behind her. However, no matter how many times he tried to catch up with her, the lawyer was ignored. Clearly, there is more going on than meets the eye.
Messy Jesse is here to play
I think the biggest storyline this season will be surrounding Jesse and Michelle. These two are not playing nice, and the gloves are off. While at Brittany’s white party (Jax was not invited) we see the first real fight between the Lallys. Firstly, Jesse is appalled by Aaron, his ex-wife’s new man. He also doesn’t love that Aaron feels he can chime in with parental advice. Next, cameras catch Michelle and Jesse chatting about Isabella’s education at the bar.
In a move direct from the divorce playbook, Jesse succeeds in riling Michelle up, into thinking he wants to fight for full custody and to move their daughter to Orange County. Naturally, Michelle isn’t having it, and she claps back. When asked in the confessional about whether this idea was a move to get a rise out of Michelle, Jesse smirks and states, “A hundred percent.” Let the chaos begin!
The Valley is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF EPISODE ONE OF THE VALLEY? WAS JESSE BEING PETTY?
