Mob Wives: Recap “What Goes Around” Ep. 213

Carla is at the "heart" of all rumors!

Check out the necklace if you don't believe me.

Renee has to deal with the realization that Junior wore a wire for months and was taping her father. In the blink of an eye Junior took everything from her. He used her to get close to her father. They replay all the moments where Junior was trying to get close to Renee and promising her a future together, all the while knowing he was working for the FBI and there was no future for them.

In Karen’s apartment she gets a call from her mother. Karen’s mom asks about Renee. She compares Junior’s situation to Sammy’s, and she feels for Renee as a mother trying to protect AJ. News spreads like wildfire. She says Karen and Gerard came through it stronger and so will AJ. Karen says her mother is the glue who kept the family together. Karen’s mother tells her that Drita was never a real friend. Renee will learn who her real friends are now. She says she is proud of Karen for going back to Staten Island with her head held high and true to herself.

Drita reads the newspaper article and is sick to her stomach. She decided to go see Renee even though they haven’t spoken since the Poconos. She wants to be there for Renee. Renee opens the door and hugs Drita. This proves to Renee that she was wrong about Drita, and that she is loyal to her and their friendship. Renee appreciates it. Drita says it is killing her to see what this is doing to Renee. How could Junior do this?  She can’t understand it. Renee says Junior is not “ratting,” it’s a betrayal beyond everything. And Junior cooperated before he even moved in with her, just to put her father in prison! Drita says what Junior did is beyond lying and cheating, much worse than what Lee did. Junior’s betrayal of Renee is worse than anything. Renee wants to know, deserves to know if Junior really did love her? She needs to know if it was real. She says, if he loved her he wouldn’t have hurt her like this. Was it all just a lie? Were the last three months all just a lie?

Karen goes to record her audio book, chapter 11. Karen gets emotional. It’s a hard chapter and the turning point of her life when her whole world changed. It’s the part where Sammy tells the family he is going to cooperate, and everyone they knew turned their backs on their family. Karen recalls reacting with so much anger at the time. Karen reads on and then reads a few parts about Lee. She put Lee in the book because he was a big part of her life. She mentions Drita and how they became friends. Karen says that people who don’t like the truth, won’t like the book. 

At Drita’s house, her trainer, Anthony, shows up. He mentions that her boxing match is coming up soon. They practice sparring in the yard. Drita is nervous about the match, but she wants to do it. Drita brags about her “rocket” and her “right hook” as she displays her fist proudly in the air. Boxing makes her feel good, she gets a rush from boxing. However, she has to protect her face because she has gone back to modeling and is doing well. Her trainer thinks she is good to go.

At Renee’s house, Bigg Ang stops by because she is worried about Renee. Renee tells her she is avoiding people because of what Junior did. Renee is upset because she is being called a “rat’s something.” Renee is worried about AJ. Bigg Ang tells her to leave AJ alone. Renee wants to save her son from people who want to hurt him for what his father did. Renee has an attack of guilt and blames herself for the way she treated Karen so badly years ago. Bigg Ang tells her to pull it together for AJ. Renee says she will never forgive Junior.

Karen goes to see Renee. Renee is busy packing Junior’s things up in boxes and she tells Karen she is moving on with her life. There will never be a future for them, she knows that now. Renee appreciates having Karen there because she understands what AJ is going through. Renee cries and tells Karen that she apologizes to Karen’s parents over and over every night. Karen tells her that they have to separate themselves from their father’s choices and from Junior’s choices. Renee decided she has to be loyal to herself. She has to stand up for herself, she wants to live and be happy. She has a new life. She can’t call her dad or Junior if she needs someone now. She hugs Karen and tells her she loves her. She goes back to her packing and Karen tells her she is proud of her for letting go.

Drita is back at the gym to get some sparring in. Anthony, her trainer, sets her up with Andrew, her sparring partner. Drita says she has won most of her fights. She is in “fighter mode, dying to get into the ring and feels like ROCKY.” Drita finds it hard to stick with the boxing rules, she just wants to let loose. She says boxing is supposed to control her temper, but it’s “getting her heated!” She thinks maybe it’s not healthy.

Think before you speak, just sayin'

At Fusion, Carla and Karen go to have a bite to eat. Karen says she thinks Renee is stronger than she thought. Carla says they all thought that Junior wasn’t good for Renee and maybe this is a blessing. Carla says there was a lot of talk from Renee about Junior’s attitude changing and they were fighting a lot and Junior was acting weird. She says she thought something was up with him. Karen thinks it had to do with Renee being upset that Junior was going back to prison. But Carla says a few people on the street have been asking what’s up with Junior. Karen is confused by what she means. Carla says she thinks Renee “knew something was coming.” Karen gets the feeling that Carla is insinuating something and she should be careful how she chooses her words.

It’s Christmas time. Renee goes to a yoga class for peace and quiet in her life. “Breathe, serenity, peace and quiet” are words Renee is not used to in her life. Renee’s friend Nikole is there and Renee confides in her that someone told her that Carla thinks Renee knew Junior was cooperating with the Feds. Renee says she would never set her father up. Renee loves her family and she would never do anything to hurt her father. Renee says she will confront her on this. Nikole says throw out the garbage (meaning Carla).

"I'm done being nice, how much more can I be nice?"

Maybe just a little more...read on

Drita, Bigg Ang and Carla meet at the spa to get their nails done. Carla is pissed from the get go. She says she hasn’t spoken to Renee since news has come out. She says Renee is psycho. She says Renee is totally wrong about her, she is bi-polar and she has convinced herself that Carla said something just to get mad at her. She says Renee is paranoid since Junior became a rat. It’s not her fault Junior’s a rat. Drita says she has only heard people say they feel bad for Renee. Carla says Renee has a big mouth and talks about everyone. She should feel glad that people support her. Carla says Renee is not a true friend, she is a puppet with strings and has people talking in her ear. Carla is done being nice. Renee should go be friends with someone else.

Drita goes back to the Evolution gym and wants to talk to her trainer, Anthony. She says she doesn’t want to call off the fight, but she needs to call it off. She enjoys fighting too much to the point she is willing to box in order to “sugar-coat” her desire to fight. She says she is being smart and walking away. Her kids come first. The best thing for her to do is not to fight. Her trainer feels she has some skills and he is disappointed she won’t be fighting, but she has to do what is best for her. She is proud of herself.

Joe pops in to Carla’s house. It’s Christmastime and Carla isn’t going to worry about Renee. She wants to focus on her children and spending Christmas all together with their father. She is concentrating on her family. Joey says he wants Joe to stay over Christmas Eve and wake up there to open presents in the morning. 

AJ and Renee go out to eat. Renee is concerned about AJ. She feels he will be disappointed in Christmas because his grandfather and father won’t be spending it with them. He says he is ok, but that won’t stop Renee from worrying. AJ says, “That’s life.”

MY TWO CENTS

Oh where do I start? I woke up with my brain running with this blog. Here’s what I decided to do. I will take on the women one by one this time, instead of situation by situation. 

Ramona wasn’t even in this episode. I missed her “keeping it real” attitude and there were a couple of scenes that could have used her input…enough said.

Bigg Ang did not play a major role, as usual. Though Renee loves her to death, I didn’t find her very comforting at all, but at least she did go to see her. I don’t know how many times she said the words “rat” and “snitch,” but it was a lot. I didn’t think it was cool for her to take the newspaper over to the clothing store owned by her sister to show her the headlines. I would have been more concerned about being with Renee than adding to the gossip.

Karen proved herself to be Renee’s best friend throughout this whole mess. No one could have predicted, when the series started, that any of this was going to happen. It was only a year ago that Renee wasn’t very welcoming of Karen and was judging her for what her father did, yet Karen put that all behind her soon after season one started. She, of all people, could have been bad mouthing Renee now, but she proved her loyalty to Renee and their friendship time and time again. My heart ached a little for Karen when she got choked up reading the part of the book where Sammy tells them he is cooperating with the Feds. Her emotions flooded right back as though she went back in time for a moment. I’m glad she read a few parts about Lee and Drita. Although she didn’t read significant amounts of those parts, it was enough for Drita to get a small taste of what she missed by not reading it. And, I was glad to hear from Karen’s mother on the phone. She said all the right things, namely, that she is proud of Karen for coming back with her head held high and Drita is no real friend of hers. Just when I think I couldn’t respect Karen more…I do!

As for Renee, it’s heartbreaking to watch her whole world turned completely upside down. As a mother, as a daughter and as a (ex) wife, her emotions are raw and her spirit is broken. I think Renee never really let go of Junior emotionally, in the past. Deep down I think she always considered him her husband and that they would get back together one day. His betrayal of her, their son and her father is as bad as it gets in that lifestyle. It’s even beyond all comprehension that he could turn on his own family and the man who considered him a son. Maybe it’s a good thing that all this happened during the filming of Mob Wives, because Renee has gotten tremendous support, prayers and love from fans. I always thought Renee was a strong woman, but she not only surprised Karen with her strength, she surprised a lot of us. I’m glad this was filmed months ago because we now know how well Renee is doing and that she is moving on with her life and living it to the fullest. 

Drita, Drita, Drita…where shall I start? Shall we start with the good news or the bad news?  Ok the good news first. Drita went over to support Renee! She did the right thing even though she was concerned about what she heard from Carla about the trip to the Poconos. I am going to hand it to her, I did not expect that at all. It certainly was a step in the right direction for the sake of their friendship. You don’t stay away from friends during times of crisis, something not everyone on the show has learned (cough, cough).

Now the bad news…more boxing. Too much of the episode was about boxing. First, Anthony, Drita’s trainer from Evolution, comes to her house for a “workout” in the yard. How many trainers would do that? Maybe just the ones who want to be on television and promote their business? It’s just not practical. But anyway, it seems he has set up a “match” for Drita, where she can fight an opponent. Drita wants to do it. And, as always, she is back to her old ways talking about her fist, as her weapon, her “rocket” her “right hook.” Boxing makes her feel good and gives her a rush! Not exactly the kind of talk of someone turning over a new leaf is it? Her trainer thought she was ready for her “match” I do not. Frankly, I don’t think Drita has actually had more than the three or four lessons we saw on the show. I can’t see Drita getting in her car and driving over the Verrazano Bridge a few times a week for lessons or for practice, but that’s just lazy me talking. 

Later in the show, she goes to Evolution for a sparring session with Andrew. She brags again how she has won most of her fights (though she left out the cheeseburgers and standing up against bullies this time, very disappointing). Then she says the sparring is putting her in “fighter mode,” and she is “dying to get into the ring,” and she “feels like ROCKY!” (I suddenly hear music playing as I type). And low and behold, Drita herself comes to the same conclusion I wrote about in another blog. Remember that study that showed boxing actually increases aggression not decreases it! Evolution explained to me that the discipline of boxing is what reduces aggression, however Drita said flat out she can’t be bothered with the “rules of boxing.” She ends her scene saying, boxing is supposed to control her temper, but “it’s getting her heated.” So, guess what, I was right about Drita and boxing and I love being right! Hold the applause, I haven’t gotten to Carla yet.

Last and certainly not least, is my little Carla. Carla has always been my least favorite mob wife. I did a blog on that months ago and maybe I should update it? Anyway, where to begin? Carla is in two major scenes concerning Renee. No, she never did go see Renee, she just talked about her behind her back. To be fair, I am not going to put words in Carla’s mouth or state what she may have implied, I am just going to deal with what she did and di-ent say.

First Carla meets with Karen to discuss Renee’s situation. I ask myself why? Why is Carla sitting there with Karen and not at Renee’s house, her friend of 27 years, whose whole world has come crashing down around her? Carla makes some stupid statements. Like what you ask? Well, she says that Junior was never really good for Renee so maybe this whole thing (Junior’s turning informant, getting her dad arrested, and disappearing) is what’s best for Renee. Really Carla? Think again. Carla casually mentions to Karen that a “few people” have been asking “what’s up with Junior?” Who would those few people be and why would they be talking, and why would it be relevant now unless he was said to be doing something shady? Carla doesn’t say. I almost got the impression that Carla knew something was up based on what she heard from the rumor mill.  We know how Carla loves gossip (remember she wanted to get all the “dirt” on Renee’s party so she could compare stories?). Not much gets by Carla. Then Carla says something, innocently or not, that could be misconstrued, because she fails to elaborate. She says, she thinks “Renee knew something was coming.” Carla di-ent say what. Now, I will not leap to the conclusion that she meant Renee knew Junior was wearing a wire and taping her father, but it sounds like she was trying to imply something without saying it out right. Karen heard some kind of “insinuation” and we don’t know what was edited it out. Enough said.

Well, Carla isn’t done talking. She meets Drita and Bigg Ang at the spa to get their nails done. Carla is pissed at this point. Apparently, word got back to her that Renee is mad. Renee got the idea that Carla said or implied that she knew Junior was wearing a wire and maybe even taping her dad. Carla still hasn’t talked to Renee since all this happened. I think I would wonder a little about Carla too. She’s not too busy to talk about Renee behind her back, but hasn’t made the time to pay her a visit? Carla goes on a hurtful tirade about her dear friend Renee, who had her world ripped out from under her. She says Renee is totally wrong, she is bi-polar, she is paranoid, she has a big mouth and talks about everyone, she is not a true friend, she is a puppet and then Carla adds she is done being nice. If that’s being nice I’d hate to see her being mean! Carla has a history of NOT being there for Renee. I’m not surprised she wasn’t there now. But, she could have at least keep her mouth shut about what is going on. The way she talked to Karen about Renee, she probably talked to at least 50 other people. Who needs a friend like that? Can’t wait for next week when Renee confronts her about all of this and I hope she gives her a good piece of her mind (and mine)!

One touching scene I have to mention is when Joey asks Joe to come over Christmas Eve and stay over till Christmas morning to open presents together. I hope they had a very Merry Christmas and that it made up, in part, for the years they all missed together. Joey and Carmen deserve to have some wonderful Christmas memories with their dad.

So what did you think? What did I miss? I was seeing red and it colored my view of the television screen! Chime in any time, I’d love to hear what you have to say!

Shout outs to some of our followers: @princess92477, @MizTaken4, @BigT1545, @Ruben1924m, @CrystalOrtiz18, @47Crawford, @NCDIVA14, @LisaLisaQuinn76