by Mike Bandy

I have to admit, after last week's debacle at Kim's baby shower, I was a little nervous when the episode began with Phaedra showing up at her house, large basket of presents in tow. I wasn't sure how well it was going to go over, but as it turned out, Phaedra was very apologetic for what happened between Apollo and Peter, and wanted to make up for it. It was a nice gesture - certainly nicer than Cynthia's gest...oh wait, Cynthia hasn't even called Kim yet. Classy. 

Maybe Cynthia was busy mediating another argument - such as the one between Peter and Malorie. They showed up together at Bar One and met up with Peter, and Cynthia left the room so that they could talk out their differences. Peter's upset because Mal and her mom tried to keep the marriage certificate from them on their wedding day. I won't go into the back and forth, but at the end of it, Peter still felt upset, and Mal was in tears. Now, I'm not the biggest Peter fan, but I gotta side with him on this one - what they did was not cool, even if they weren't totally supportive of the wedding.

Next, we got to hook up with Kandi and Phaedra on the rooftop of a local hotel, where they were all set to plan Kandi's 35th Birthday bash. Sheree joined in on the fun, and when she found out that NeNe was invited to the party, said that she'd stay away from her. Since Peter and Cynthia were also invited, Phaedra agreed to leave Apollo at home too, to minimize any drama. Ah, if only it were that easy. Phaedra told Sheree on the sly that she had a big surprise planned for Kandi's party, and you just knew that it was gonna be something raunchy, didn't you? Well, get ready...

Next, we had to deal with NeNe, as we all knew we would. This time she was with Kandi and Derek Jay shopping for shoes, and when the conversation turned to Kandi's party, NeNe said she didn't want to have anything to do with Sheree. Because, "When you get low down as Sheree did, you can't be friends with NeNe Leakes!" Hmm...interesting...because NeNe would NEVER stoop to a low down level (like the bus trip from hell last season).

Next, it was time to see what Kim and Kroy were up to, and it turned out that they were having a nurse come over to explain how to deal with baby boys. They both learned how to clean the baby and they also learned, in detail, all about circumcision. Kim doesn't want her little man's little man wearing a turtleneck, you know. Ugh.

Then NeNe showed up at Cynthia's house, and Peter talked about his fight with Mal and how he took the situation really personal. But we've already talked about that - what we HAVEN'T talked about is how NeNe had sex with Gregg! Normally this wouldn't be news (they're still married, after all), but NeNe's revelation that Gregg knows how to "lay it down and get all up in this like a tiger" almost had me falling off the couch in hysterics. Way to go, Gregg! I didn't know (or care) you had it in you!

It was back out at the job site for Sheree, and this time she brought Phaedra with her. Sheree was upset because not much more was done on Chateau Sheree, but thankfully Phaedra was there to threaten the contractor smooth everything over. Phaedra told him that she'd take him to court if the house wasn't ready by Christmas. Hey, wasn't there some footage at the beginning of the season of Phaedra and Sheree in court?? Hmm...

Poor Cynthia. She just can't get along with anybody anymore. Malorie and her husband showed up at Cynthia's modeling agency to help her put together a computer chair that most of us could put together by ourselves, and the conversation turned to Mal being Cynthia's receptionist, which she has no interest in doing. Then when they began talking about Peter, things really got heated. See, Mal doesn't want Cynthia to invest in Bar One like she did with Uptown, Mal doesn't feel she owes Peter an apology, and Mal doesn't really support Cynthia's marriage. Hey Mal - mind your own business! Give your sister a little bit of support, for god's sake!

The episode came to a close at Kandi's party, and that's what we were all in it for anyway, right? Everybody started showing up, and predictably, the party split into Team Sheree and Team NeNe. Lawrence showed up looking like Lady Gaga, Grace Jones, and Bill Cosby all rolled into one. Once the party got going, Phaedra decided it was time for Kandi's big surprise...and it sure was a BIG one. The surprise came in the form of a stripper called "Ridickulous", who proceeded to jump up on the table and strip...in front of Kandi AND her mother. Based on the very large censored box covering the important parts, it appeared that the man should be registered as a lethal weapon, but that wasn't the worst part...

Stripping at a party is one thing, but when you dip your privates into someone's drink and then pleasure yourself in front of everyone, you're taking it way too far. I wasn't surprised when Kandi's mom got so upset - I think the surprise was tasteless and inappropriate at a party where Kandi's mom was in attendance! If it had been just the girls, that'd be one thing.

Kandi tried to calm Joyce down, but Joyce wasn't having it. She left in a huff, and the episode ended on perhaps the most awkward note ever.

What do you think will happen next week? Will Kandi apologize to Joyce? Will NeNe and Sheree make up? Will Phaedra learn how to give a proper surprise gift? Can't wait to find out!