Love & Marriage: DC

I was actually one of the people who didn't care for this show to begin with. But then I thought about it, and I rarely like the first season of shows. I think I'm just not into that "getting to know the cast" season. Ultimately I decided to show wasn't for me and didn't even finish season one. But then I heard on the radio that they touch on topics that are generally taboo within the black community, specifically mental health, so I started Season 2.

I must say, it's really not that bad! I like the ladies a lot more than I did on the first season, specifically, Ashley and Erana. I am a Ready to Love fan so I was already familiar with Clifton and Joi. I'm hoping to see some positivity from the two of them because I was so turned off by their behavior (primarily Joi's) during the reunion show but I digress.

As with any reality show, they have their share of drama, but I'm really enjoying the family interactions. Jamie and little Jamie have so much work to do, but they are trying and they are a complete family unit...something that's so often not displayed on black tv. Ashley is being completely transparent about her perspective of what she experienced as a 16 year old girl. I admire that quality, as that's something I struggle with and it's just refreshing to see.

Like I said, it's not perfect. It's still a reality show and there are definitely moments that we are contrived, but it's not a complete train wreck. Give it a chance!

It's Spring 2023 and my first time watching the series, binge watching it over a rainy weekend. I say this because if it wasn't for being cooped up in my house, I think I would have gotten bored and stopped watching by episode 5.

Monique is quiet the interesting person. I wasn't a fan of hers on RHOP, because her personality is narcissistic and shallow, but I also didn't like how bitter, miserable green eye bandits treated her. I also never liked how she treats Chris.

Anyhow, soooo Winter is weird AF. I mean most of what she says is a contradiction, she hides behind this fake Christian veil, and she has to be stuck on stupid and needs healing to having been in a toxic marriage and then jumped in another marriage with someone she didn't clearly know well. I'm sorry but as a mother, you aren't coming around my children if I don't know you well. She didn't even know where this man lived, but married him! And let's not even get on that head. I'm a fan of women doing whatever with their hair, and have liked the styles with a shaved/long hair element. The problem is that hers is poorly executed lol. Where is her meds?

The other two women would be ok if they brought more to the storyline other than not like Winter. Boring!

What was interesting was covering Big James' parenting style with his children. I think it was quite revealing to see the overbearing dad (who seems unaware), pushing his children to pursue careers or interests that are solely of his desire and not theirs. In earlier episodes with the dad bringing up Lil James going down wrong path, I instantly thought: this little knucklehead doesn't know how lucky he is. But then you realize that Big James' parenting style may be contributing to his son directly outing out and rebelling. James seems like a good dad and involved, but overbearing. He needs to find balance.

Overall, I think I'll watch season 2 out of curiosity since it's a long weekend to binge it, but Idk... giving this series a 5 for now.

SIDE NOTE: For the reviewers talking about the cast not knowing their geography is quite hilarious because of the irony that the reviewer doesn't get it. When anyone in the DMV (DC, Montgomery & PG Counties of MD, Fairfax, Prince William Counties, Arlington, Alexandria of VA), speak of Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, or Southwest, they are referring to the 4 quadrants of DC, not DC's geographical location within the US. LOL. I guess this could have been an opportunity for production to explain this since perhaps if you aren't familiar with the area, the average viewer wouldn't understand it.

Ashley is very unpleasant. She has to be right. I don't like the way she speaks to her mother. I'm sure as someone around her mother's generation she feels guilt as well as Ashley's pain. Her mother apologized, was else do you want. I also don't like the way Ashley disrespects Clifton. It's very difficult to watch the show with her behavior. Lastly, she should not be frustrated and angered because her friends and mother did not read her book. Maybe if she did not come off so hostile, maybe they would. Not everyone likes to read. I myself with long hauler Covid, I now find it difficult to read. You don't know why people are not reading your book so stop being so opinionated. Wishing you the best!

I am not interested in watching grown adult women acting out continuously with childish behavior. I can tolerate an episode with misunderstandings but not every episode. This is so much like the other housewife's show (I stopped watching them).

So tired of shows where people of color act in tasteless and unclass ways. Why can't we show positivity in lifting each other up? Ashley is probably one of the worse. To say that she made Joi and Clifton is untrue. Regardless of what type show they were on, I knew about Joi and Clifton long before I heard anything about Ashley or Quick. I think this show is beneath Joi and Clifton and I hope they leave that toxic and tasteless show.

Ashley appears to be a self centered, can't do any wrong and her husband buys into it.

She has some alliances to now have issues with Joi and Clifton but people like Erana, her husband and Wynter don't agree with Ashley, she has problems with them,