You can make the argument that the men of Mob Wives are the great unseen force guiding the show along. Of course, it lives and dies by how the women interact with one another and the bread-and-butter screaming matches, but Mob Wives also focuses on these women putting their lives back together following tragedy relating to their men. Be it their father, uncle, or husband, the wives have been scarred by their interaction with the life and the men that brought them into it. Their current decision-making is based on said scarring and trying to not make the same mistakes they once did, so while they may not be eating up camera time, Junior, Lee, Joe, and all the rest are the supporting cast of Mob Wives that are really pulling the strings.
Never has that been more evident than in tonight’s episode, where each main storyline was directly influenced by the man involved. For example, Drita’s finally signed the divorce papers with Lee, so it’s time to get out on the town and try to meet a normal guy. However, that’s easier said than done, as Drita’s never been single, having married young, and is worried about Lee finding out about her moving on with another guy. And ironically, gorgeous Drita has horrid game; punching dudes in a club or meeting firemen that are engaged isn’t exactly a way to meet Mr. Right, but it was supremely entertaining watching Drita wobble out into the dating world like a newborn deer. She may be the show’s resident brawler, but Drita can be so charming on Mob Wives and stuff like this lets her show off that she’s not all bloody knuckles and blackouts. I kind of hope she finds a guy to just have fun with and get her used to being around another guy again. I totally get why all the firemen weirded her out, partially because she’s just not used to dating normal guys, but just let a cute boy take you out and pay for your dinner once or twice.
It may not be a love match, but sometimes a date is a date and a reason to smile. Nothing more.
Also on the lighter side were Carla and Joe, following Joe getting released from the halfway house last week. I could never get a read on their relationship until tonight; Carla’s not exactly been racking up the solo screen time and with Joe as a disembodied voice on the phone, there was no body language to read. That being said, how cute and flirty were they at dinner? It’s obvious they’re still feeling one another and I think I’m pulling for them to get back together. I don’t know their issues or anything, but there’s an ease and a comfort that they have that’s not readily available these days. They almost glow talking to one another and that’s something special, to have someone that can make your whole being just light up like that. They may just be in a post-lockdown haze, but it’s just nice to see Carla be that happy.
But all the sweet conversations and awkward ventures into the dating world were nothing compared to everything Renee went through tonight. 85% of me was absolutely devastated for her; she lost both her husband and father to the feds on the same night and Renee has always been about, above all else, her family. Mostly to her detriment, but I digress. I can’t even fathom how alone she must have felt, you guys. No matter how many times she’s been through it, I’m sure it never gets easier and I don’t wish that on anybody. But the other 15% of me is a little exhausted of Renee’s histrionics all season (the final 30 minutes of the episode were Renee screaming) and can’t get past some of the flaws in her logic. I mean, she learns about Junior turning himself in and yet pledges to stay with him? And has the balls to come on her confessional talking about not being able to escape the life? Love her as I may, Renee could have ended things with Junior many a time and had enough distance from him that another trip to the pen wouldn’t break her. It’s obviously not in her DNA, thanks to the constant lesson of “stand by your man” she learned early in life, but still, she had a choice. You can debate how much of one, but a choice was there.
Renee just consistently chooses the most self-destructive option and it’s quite frustrating.
That doesn’t make what happened to Renee any less heartbreaking, particularly her suicide references, though, but I got a little more understanding for AJ this season. Renee’s the woman who cried “JUN-YAH!!!”; she bellows and hollers enough on the show that I’m guessing AJ’s numb to the drama, as you can never tell how minor/major Renee’s latest crisis is. He’ll need to keep her going this time around, though, because I don’t see Renee making it out of this on her own.
The men of Mob Wives have been responsible for both the highest highs and lowest lows experienced by the ladies. On tonight’s episode, that became much clearer, with Lee indirectly getting Drita back out into the world, Joe charming Carla, and Junior crushing Renee’s spirit. It may have made for uncomfortable TV, but this is exactly the type of episode that separates Mob Wives from its reality brethren. Instead of worrying about brunches and name calling, they have to deal with heart-wrenching, real life stuff like prison, so the show is kept much more grounded. And right now, Renee needs anything steady she can find.
Thoughts, Quotes, & Observations:
-“If I know I can beat them up, I can’t hang out with them.”
-“This is, like, cob web style.”
-“I exist, I’m not a ghost.”
-“My ass did look great. That’s why I wore them.”
-“Do you save lives and sh-t?”
-Renee made a point to mention her money problems now that Junior’s gone, but what about her styling gigs? And the income from the show?
-You guys, Big Ang is married. Like…what?
-Big Ang talked to The Daily Beast about her husband, her past, and plastic surgery.
-Pictures of Drita on the set of French Montana’s “Everything’s a Go” video.
-Ramona loves Gucci and Bloomingdale’s.
-Renee opens up about Junior being responsible for her dad going back to prison.
-The Insider wonders if Big Ang is the best reality TV star ever.
-Next week on Mob Wives: Renee finds out about what Junior did. Cue nervous breakdown.
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I love all the women on the show. They are all stong and indepentent women I hope they all find some kind of peace
I love your writing. I especially love this title and accompanying pic, lol.
Ramona is the worst addition to this show. She is sooooooo boring, looks like a man, and jealous, jealous, jealous of Drita. Did I mention how jealous she is of Drita? OMG, It's truly pathetic. She needs to move back to the middle east, put on a habib and shut the hell up. Selling half of her LV bags and fixing her poor kids jacked up teeth would be an idea.
Renee… I'm so disappointed that you are so two-faced. What A Punk you've become. You are a lousy friend, a lousy drunk, a lousy motha and your screeching voice is worse than nails down a chalk board. STOP cussing at your kid. I'm embarrassed for him.
Shout out to Big Ang (love that girl!) Drita, and Carla.
Karen… congrats your book is a best seller. You lived a privileged and prestigious life because your father was a murderer and thief (including the murder of a family member, an uncle). And because you reaped the benefits of these crimes, you should share half of your proceeds to his victims' families? It would go a long way in showing respect for his victims, and paying it forward on behalf of Good vs. Evil.