In a captivating introduction, Episode 9 of The Curse commences with a first-person perspective, shrouding the identity of the mystery driver lingering outside Whitney's abode. The reason for his vigil remains a mystery, as he nonchalantly drives past her to the Plaza. Whitney's destination is Iosheka Jeans, a store that has taken center stage in recent episodes, and this scene continues its significance. Martha, the HGTV executive who notified Dougie and the couple of their show's greenlight, is present on the set. Seated behind the camera alongside Dougie, they oversee a faux pedestrian couple, engaged in a moment of joyful camaraderie. The man struggles with a pair of jeans that don't quite fit, while the woman strives to make the situation work. Despite its staged nature, the scene feels refreshingly genuine and authentic. Martha commends Dougie for his vision and the vitality he's injected into the show, yet she insists that Asher and Whitney must replicate this magic.
Dougie reveals that another sequence is planned for the couple, but Martha's directive is clear: she wants them to replicate this specific moment. Before Whitney can make her way to the set, preferring a leisurely stroll to a dash to her car, Martha has vanished. Dougie informs her that Martha has invited the pair for dinner, acknowledging HGTV's satisfaction with the show's progress. However, the network is displeased with Whitney and Asher's real-life dynamics. They've reviewed the footage captured by Dougie and his crew, showcasing the couple's candid comments about each other, and deemed it as lacking a "positive spin." Dougie underscores the crucial point: "Without Asher, there is no show." This revelation comes after Whitney's subtle hint that their marriage is on the brink, and she would prefer to utilize the show's narrative flow to bring an end to things in the glamorous realm of reality television. Before she can rekindle her "chemistry" with Asher, Whitney must confront a few challenges head-on.
Tonya reveals to Whitney the identity of a discontented employee, Patrick, who was dismissed from the crew for leaving a scathing note on her windshield. The message, a scathing "slumlord," pointedly referred to the notorious Bookends Building owned by Whitney's parents. Stunned, Whitney, ever the saintly optimist, urged Tonya to rehire Patrick and promptly called him. However, Patrick was unwilling to engage with her, despite Whitney's charm and optimism.
The true reason for Patrick's actions stemmed from the injustice surrounding Phoebe's uncle Gordon's removal from the Bookends. Phoebe, a driver on the set, naturally had concerns. Swiftly arranging a meeting, Whitney assured Phoebe that she had no involvement in her parents' affairs and promised to reinstate Gordon. This earned Whitney Phoebe's admiration, labeling her a real-life hero.
After the meeting, Whitney searched online for her name alongside Bookends, uncovering the origin of the "slumlord" label that Patrick had given her. It was a distressing revelation, a significant blow that threatened to undermine her efforts to distance herself from her parents' reputation in Espanola.
Turning her attention to Asher, Whitney realized the show couldn't go on without him. She tried her best to boost his spirits, suggesting a bowling trip, a favorite pastime of his, to get him in the mood for dinner. In a fleeting but intense psychological exchange, Asher challenged Whitney's hypocrisy, countering her countdown to agree to bowling with a countdown of his own, asking Whitney if she loved him. Surprised but dismissive, Whitney ignored the question and they went bowling.
The recreation of the jeans scene lacked the spark they had hoped for, unlike the chemistry between Janice and Pascal. However, Asher's face lit up, perhaps for the first time in the series, as he demolished the bowling pins, scoring a remarkable 195 and exuding confidence. Whitney beamed with happiness as well. Just as the couple was wrapping up, Bill, Asher's casino friend, spotted them and approached with a greeting. But Asher was indifferent, uninterested in the interruption.
Bill elucidated that initially, everyone had suspected Asher of being the traitor, the one who betrayed the footage to the media. However, the tables have now turned, and the perpetrator was revealed to be a different individual. He apologized profusely, but Asher boldly confessed to the leak, taking Whitney's hand in a triumphant gesture, aiming to impress her with his self-proclaimed moral righteousness.
Over dinner, Martha showered praise on Whitney and her approach, as the theme of sustainability ran like a thread through the entire event, resonating deeply with the audience. Nevertheless, when Whitney attempted to promote her vision of a "holistic approach," Martha quickly dispelled it, mischievously dubbing Asher as her "jester" and approving the moniker "Green Queen."
Upon returning home, Whitney overheard Asher muttering to himself in the bathroom. His words were sinister and haunting, yet they seemed to be a recurring character archetype. Whitney was genuinely startled, her face frozen in a blank stare. Asher was envisioning a salacious scenario where he seduced Bill into having sex with her. I dare you to witness this entire scene; I couldn't bear to sit through it and had to skip through parts of it.
The following day, Whitney ventured to Bookends to visit her parents, Paul and Lizzy, who were residing in one of the apartments temporarily, as advised by their lawyer, to nip some tenancy issues in the bud. Whitney confronted them fiercely, tearing apart their allegedly arrogant dealings with the tenants. Lizzy retaliated with a leveled accusation, pointing out that many residents from the impoverished Espanola community sought refuge in their apartments because they couldn't afford Whitney's outrageously priced eco-friendly homes. They had offered Whitney the opportunity to run their business as she desired, which could have brought about a significant change. However, Whitney had other ambitions, and this confrontation left her on the losing side of the idealistic battle.
As Whitney ventured into the spa for a day of serenity, her list of unexpected encounters expanded alarmingly. However, the serene atmosphere was shattered when she realized Cara was her masseuse! She confessed, her voice tinged with reflection, that following the tumultuous night at Vivi's, she was reassessing her priorities and aspirations in life. This was a stark contrast to her usual role as a renowned artist. Whitney initially attempted to maintain a facade of composure, pretending to embrace Cara's services. But ultimately, she faltered, cancelling her appointment while still compensating for the service and leaving a tip.
In the pulse-racing, gripping climax of the episode, Asher and Whitney arrived at Dougie's abode to witness the initial edit of their show. Whitney's anger was palpable after two tumultuous days, whereas Asher's enthusiasm to view the footage was childlike and unfettered. The five-minute clip showcased a seamless compilation, and the program appeared genuinely promising. Of course, the audience in the cinematic universe lacked our behind-the-scenes insight, unaware of the ironic falsity beneath the surface.
During the screening, Whitney insisted that Dougie skip to the "pottery section," but he revealed that the network had deemed it unworthy of inclusion. She persisted, urging Dougie to play it for Asher's sake, and he reluctantly obliged. We had witnessed the recording of this segment in previous episodes, where Whitney savagely critiqued Asher as a life partner, branding him a jester who revered an "idealized version of her" rather than the authentic person she was. Asher, speechless, stormed out, leaving Whitney on the verge of tears. She sensed, perhaps, that this might mark the final blow to their marital bond.
Yet, against all expectations, Asher returned, knocking gently on the door. His impassioned plea to Whitney contradicted logic but remained true to his character's nature. Asher declared his desire to walk by Whitney's side for the remainder of their lives. Whitney's nod of approval was belied by the expressions etched on her face, a mixture of confusion, disgust, and utter shock.
