Still in Fiji! The producers are really stretching this vacation out, probably because it was the site of an intrahouse hookup. Oh, now the roommates are on a plane going home. And now they're at the airport. And now they're at the baggage carousel. And now they're stopping for a Cinnabon. Okay, I might be exaggerating, but do we really need to see every second of their trip home? I think we get it. The vacation is over. Give us one transition scene, and we've got it. Landon and Shavonda walk through the airport with their arms over each other's shoulders. In a confessional, Shavonda says that Fiji was awesome, and she got closer to some roommates (Landon) and further apart from others (Karamo). She admits that she also hooked up with Landon.
Karamo speaks passionately to Melanie regarding his feelings on Landon and Shavonda's hookup. Karamo says that he's reminded Shavonda that Shaun will be seeing her exploits on television, and that she has to think about how that will make him feel "when he's with his boys and talking about this girl he loves, when he sees [Shavonda] in Fiji kissing [Landon], and then on the last night before, having sex!" Well, if Shavonda cared that much about Shaun's feelings, then she wouldn't have suggested a more open relationship. And how he handles "his boys" is his problem. Hee! "Handles his boys." And finally, how is any of this Karamo's problem? When did Karamo become Shaun's best friend? Clearly, there's something more going on for Karamo, that he won't admit. Because I really doubt that someone like Karamo, who treated Dorian like crap, can argue the sanctity of the monogamous relationship. So it's either that Shavonda is female, and he doesn't think she should be having sex on national television, or that Shavonda is black and Landon is white. Or maybe Karamo has other issues. Who knows?
Karamo interviews that Shavonda is "slutting herself out," and that while he would never say that about "a sister," he will say it about Shavonda. So sleeping with boys in Fiji makes Shavonda like a white girl? With each week, I understand Karamo's thought processes less and less. And I realize part of it is that I'm a straight white girl from a small rural town, and he's pretty much the opposite of that, but usually I can at least understand where someone is coming from, even if I don't agree. And Karamo? I just don't get it. Melanie says she's going to ask Shavonda if she's going to tell Shaun. And again, none of Melanie's business. How can Melanie justify asking that question with anything besides "I'm nosy"? I mean, own it. If you're just curious for the gossip factor, at least admit that's the case. But don't pretend you're doing it for the goodness of Shavonda's relationship or something.
Shavonda calls Shaun, and he's really exited to hear from her. Hopefully, they talk a little about the trip before she launches into her confession. And Shaun, all insecure, asks her to say that she thought about him, and that she missed him, and that she loves him. If you have to ask like that, she didn't, dude. Shavonda lies anyway. Shavonda interviews that she thought Shaun made her happy, but now she doesn't know. Shavonda says that things are changing, and that she doesn't know if she can talk to him about it, because it involves him. She says that she's really confused and doesn't know what's best for her. Shaun asks if she's saying that he's not best for her. Shavonda isn't sure. Shaun says that she's scaring him. Shavonda keeps saying that she doesn't know, when she clearly does know and just doesn't want to say.
Shaun finally asks if she kissed anyone while she was in Fiji. Shavonda admits that she kissed Landon. Shaun asks if anything else happened. Shavonda is silent. Shaun asks if she had sex with Landon. Shavonda is silent. Shaun asks again. Shavonda is still silent. Dude, just say something! Shaun takes her silence as a yes. Shavonda says that she didn't want to tell him. Shaun can't believe she's throwing away their relationship. Shavonda protests that she still loves him and wants to be with him, but that she has feelings for someone else too. Shaun tells her that she can't have it all, and now she's lost him. Oh, right. He'll be crawling back in about a day. I don't know why, but he will.
Landon asks Melanie why Karamo is pissed. Melanie says that it's not because Shavonda hooked up with Landon in particular. Landon asks if Karamo is upset that Shavonda is doing this to Shaun. Melanie says that's exactly it, and that she asked Karamo if it was because Landon is white, or just because he's Landon, and Karamo said no. Landon interviews that he thinks Karamo's anger is caused by a little bit of everything -- Shavonda's relationship with Shaun, the interracial thing, and jealousy over the interruption to Karamo and Shavonda's friendship. Landon tells Melanie that he has a gut feeling that Karamo's anger is partly due to jealousy, judging by the looks Karamo has been giving him. Melanie keeps saying that Karamo's not mad at Landon, when he clearly is. He wanted to slit Landon's throat! Even jokingly, but still. Melanie says again that Karamo doesn't blame Landon -- he blames Shavonda. Blames her for what, though? For breaking up with Shaun, who seems like kind of a weenie? And I still don't get why that's Karamo's business. Anyway.
Landon asks Shavonda how her phone call went. She says that it went fine. He shows her some photographs from Fiji on the computer. Landon interviews that Fiji is romantic, and an experience he'll never forget, but now he's not sure that hooking up with Shavonda was a good thing. MJ interviews that it'll be interesting to see what happens with Landon and Shavonda's relationship now. Landon and Shavonda go to bed, separately.
Shavonda and Landon sit in the office and stare at each other. Landon says that he told everyone before the trip that they would hook up, and he even told Shavonda that they would. Shavonda claims that she doesn't remember. Landon talks about how perfect the night was. Shavonda says that she doesn't know if she regrets it. Landon interviews that it doesn't make him feel very good to hear Shavonda say that, and that he doesn't know if she's trying to distance herself. Shavonda says that she's uncomfortable even talking about it, and that she didn't want things to get this serious. Yes, let's just ignore the elephant in the room and it might go away! Landon tells Shavonda that the future of their relationship is completely up to her, and that he'll respect whatever decision she makes. Shavonda says she enjoyed what they had in Fiji, and Landon asks if she wants to leave it there. Shavonda says that she doesn't know. What she wants is to keep hooking up with Landon, but then be able to return to Shaun when the show wraps. She just can't say that because she knows it's shitty and unrealistic to expect.
Karamo dances with a dude at a club and voice-overs, "Ed is one of my Puerto Rican friends." That's a weird way to say it. Like Karamo has a ton of Puerto Rican friends, and Ed is one of them? Or he has a ton of friends of different nationalities and ethnicities, and Ed fills the Puerto Rican slot? Just weird. In a confessional, Karamo explains that Ed is "more hip-hop culture" because he's Puerto Rican. What? How is that not racist? You know those Puerto Ricans. They all live in cities and listen to hip-hop. Whatever, Karamo.
In the club, Willie dances with his friends while Karamo and Ed sit in a booth and talk. Karamo says that it's nice to hang out with someone besides Willie's friends, because while he likes them, "they're all white queens." Even Willie? Karamo adds that he's "used to a little more hip-hop." Ed and Karamo dance together and then start making out in the bathroom. Ew! Gross. They leave together and return to the house.
Once they get inside, Karamo introduces Ed to Landon and MJ, and they all shake hands. MJ interviews that it's interesting to him that Karamo doesn't approve of Landon and Shavonda's interracial relationship, but then he brings home Ed, "who is obviously not black." Ed and Karamo head upstairs. Shavonda interviews, "I don't know what Ed is, but I know that he's not black." The editors throw in some mariachi music while Ed and Karamo get ready for bed. Classy! See, because he's Puerto Rican! And all people of Latin descent love the mariachis! So offensive.
Landon runs up to Sarah and whispers something to her, and Sarah says that Ed is Hispanic. Landon interviews that Ed is Puerto Rican, but that he looks white, so Karamo is full of crap. I have to guess that Karamo did a lot more talking about only dating black people than we've seen, if everyone is all up in arms about this. Or everyone assumed that he would be against it. Karamo's talked a lot about respecting your culture, but not as much about dating outside your race that I can recall. Anyway, Ed and Karamo make out and then take a shower together. Landon interviews, "Ed is just another shining example of something Karamo said he'd never do, and he definitely has." While I applaud the play on words, Landon might want to dial down the smug factor. If Karamo never said he wouldn't date someone Puerto Rican, Landon is wrong. And if Karamo did say that, but has now changed his mind, maybe Landon might want to encourage that instead of gloating about it.
Willie, Sarah, and Shavonda go on the subway. Willie asks when Karamo said he hated Shavonda. Sarah says it was yesterday, and that he said it repeatedly, so he wasn't joking around. Willie asks, "Why?" Sarah interviews that Karamo can't stand the fact that Landon and Shavonda had sex, and that he's just looking for an excuse to hate her. Shavonda says that Karamo already said he was jealous of her relationship with Landon and MJ. Shavonda adds that Karamo thought she would hang out with him, and now she's hanging out with the other guys. Willie asks if it's an interracial thing. Sarah says she thinks Karamo uses the interracial thing to cover the fact that it's more personal than that. Willie points out that Karamo is dating a Puerto Rican. Sarah agrees that it doesn't make sense, and that she doesn't appreciate him hating on Shavonda in front of her. Willie says that it's one thing to dislike someone, and it's a different thing to hate him or her. Sarah says that since Karamo said he wanted to slit Landon's throat and started spewing hate, it's harder for her to be friends with him. She concludes, "He's angry. He's a very angry person."
Shavonda talks to Shaun on the phone again. He says that he understands what she's going through right now, but that he loved her, and this is unexpected. Shavonda apologizes without really meaning it, and says that he doesn't get that this whole thing is scary for her, because she's about to make a lifelong commitment to him. So now it's his fault that she's scared of commitment? And being so terrified of making a commitment to him that she has to go out and sleep with someone else? Might mean that she's not ready for that commitment. I'm just saying. And why would he take her back, in that case? Shavonda says that if Shaun can't understand why she's scared, then they're not meant to be together. I love how she turns this all around on him. Shavonda says that her hookup with Landon wasn't just an isolated incident, and that her feelings are changing and she's starting to enjoy being independent. Except for the part where she really just bounced from Shaun to Landon with no independent time. Shavonda says that she knows she'll be alone when she gets home, and that's the price she'll pay to figure out who she is. By sleeping with another guy. I totally get the whole "I've always been in relationships and I need to figure out who I am before I can be with someone else" thing. I do. But doesn't figuring out who you are alone require actually being single for a while? Because what Shavonda's doing looks a lot like someone who can't be alone for four months, so she had to find someone to cling to on a daily basis. Which is pretty much the opposite of what she's saying. Shavonda interviews that she believes that she was with Shaun for a reason (fear of being alone), and that she came to Philadelphia for a reason (fame-whoring).
Shavonda tells Sarah, "God put me in this situation for four months for some reasons. And maybe, God's saying, 'You need to be single right now because you might well have found the man of your dreams, but you need to, you know, play the field for a little while.'" We all know God doesn't do reality shows. And frankly, Shavonda is using divine intervention to avoid taking responsibility for her own decisions. That way, when Shaun won't take her back, she can blame God, or say that God didn't want them to be together, instead of admitting that maybe she treated Shaun like crap. Shavonda interviews that she needs to work on herself instead of being with someone else. Exactly. So do it!
Shavonda tells Sarah that Landon is lonely and she's lonely, and that they were drawn to each other in Fiji for comfort and affection. Shavonda says that she doesn't like to have sex with someone and then continue to be non-monogamous. She doesn't want to go to a nightclub, see Landon kissing another girl, and feel shitty. She also doesn't want it to be awkward when Landon brings a girl home, and have everyone looking at her and wondering what she's thinking about it. Maybe she should have thought about that before she hooked up with her roommate. Shavonda thinks that intimate relationships need to be monogamous, and that if Landon doesn't want that, they won't be intimate. Shavonda interviews that she's trying to protect herself. She then claims, "I don't play second fiddle, and I don't play games with boys." Keep that quote in mind.
And now it's time for the Most Awesome Thing I Saw on TV Last Week. The most awesome thing I saw on TV last week was actually the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, but there's not much to say about that, except that puppies are cute. So instead, I'll tell you about the most awesome non-puppy-related thing I saw on TV last week, which was an episode of Starting Over. The show was losing me for a while, but this week totally sucked me back in. First, there is a woman who has amnesia, like, who knew that really existed outside of soap operas? And while she thinks she got it due to encephalitis or something, the doctors are starting to suspect that she got it due to a traumatic incident that she doesn't want to recall. And now she's trying to figure out what that traumatic incident might be. Dramatic! And there's also a woman who is the butchiest butch that ever butched (she's a prison guard, okay?) who is divorced (from a man) with eight kids and wants to learn to be more feminine or something. Her whole situation is just weird, and I suspect that more and more interesting details are going to leak out, like how last week she admitted that she doesn't wear makeup because her father told her that only whores do. But the most awesome episode last week involved Cassie, a high-school dropout and recovering alcoholic who gave up a baby for adoption and is now trying to find him. A few weeks back, the women in the house were all talking about people they admire, and for some reason, Cassie is a huge John Davidson fan. Who? Yeah. John Davidson, former host of That's Incredible. Cassie finds him inspiring. So, the night before she had to take the GED, the life coaches arranged for Cassie to get a visit from John Davidson. And she freaked out! And even John Davidson was kind of like, "Really? Me?" And Cassie explained how, in a dark period of her life (which means all of it), she saw him on TV and decided to write him a letter, and he sent her an autographed picture that said, "You're Incredible." And you could see John Davidson thinking, "Okay, we sent those out to everyone, and I never actually signed them, you FREAK!" But he had to be nice. So then, he sang a song to her, about how she was a ship and she would determine her own course, and he was like talk-singing at the end, and it was hilarious. And then he left, but it was awesome that (a) someone is that big of a freak over John Davidson of all people, and (b) that even John Davidson was confused as to why she loved him so much. So that was awesome.
Karamo and Ed go out to eat. Ed talks about how he has to remember his history and his culture. Karamo interviews that he's dating someone outside his race, which is new for him. Ed says that he didn't learn English until he was ten, and that's why he's focused on getting a degree. Ed asks about Karamo's background. Karamo says he grew up in the suburbs, and that because of his upbringing, he didn't really socialize with his white classmates. Karamo interviews that part of him wants to get to know his roommates, but that part of him is "jaded and really could care less about getting to know them." He adds that Ed is helping him to be more sincere and less jaded. Karamo concludes, "Ed is really, really, really, really helping me." And then we see a shot of them hugging and cuddling, which makes it seem like Ed is helping Karamo get his rocks off, more than anything else.
The roommates go out to a club. Shavonda dances with some guy. Landon dances with some girl. Landon interviews that Shavonda is dancing with a bunch of guys, and that it's fine, and that he plans to have fun too. Shavonda spots Landon grinding with some chick, so she runs over and asks for her lip gloss. Why is Landon carrying her lip gloss? Forget it. I don't want to know. Shavonda, who looks really pretty with her hair straightened and in a ponytail, hangs all over Landon and asks if she's getting in the way of him getting his groove on. Landon says she is, and laughs. Shavonda says she's busy with some guy, and tries to make Landon jealous, but he just laughs at her. I hope Landon hasn't had more than five drinks! Whatever happened to that pledge, anyway? Landon tells Shavonda to go have fun, and she responds, "Don't get mad." Landon says he's not mad, and I totally believe it. He looks more like Shavonda's games amuse him, but that he's just as happy to hook up with random grinding chick as he is to hook up with Shavonda. Landon says that they should both "go work it," and meet up when they get home. Shavonda whispers something in Landon's ear, and asks if he's going to bring other girls home. Landon says that he'd rather hook up with Shavonda, and she agrees. They kiss. So tired of them.
MJ watches the whole thing with bemusement. He interviews that there are "a whole lotta games between Landon and Shavonda right now," and that while they both act like they don't care about each other hooking up, they really do.
Landon and Shavonda walk out of the club, holding hands. Shavonda says that Landon isn't letting her have her freedom. Um, wasn't she the one who left her potential hookup guy to go bug Landon about her lip gloss, or whatever other weak excuse she came up with? Landon says he'll let her go, and doesn't. They walk down the street. Shavonda interviews that she was never going to hook up with any other guys, and that she was bluffing. She wanted to see how far she should go. But she doesn't play games, right?
At home, Shavonda keeps accusing Landon of being mad that she danced with another guy, and Landon really could not care less. Shavonda tries to convince him that he cares, and Landon still doesn't care. Don't get me wrong -- Landon would hook up with Shavonda again in a second if she offered, but I really think he's just as happy to continue bringing random strangers home from clubs. Shavonda interviews that, in the beginning, girls are supposed to try to test things and make boys jealous. We are? I didn't get that memo. I think assholes do that. Or maybe teenagers. But to be in your twenties and still playing those games? Is sad.
Shavonda lies in bed and says that Landon doesn't believe that she could get any boys, which is yet another thing she's accusing him of thinking that he never said. Landon says she could. Shavonda interviews that now that she knows that flirting with other guys gets to Landon, and pushed her limits, she won't do it anymore. Except that I really don't think it got to him. She can tell herself that all she wants, if that's what she needs to get by. But she couldn't have tried any harder to make him jealous, and he couldn't have been less jealous.
Shavonda tries to pull MJ into the argument, as she and Landon lie in bed together. She wants MJ to serve as a witness that she didn't hook up with any guys at the club. MJ says he thought she was kissing someone. Shavonda denies it. MJ thinks they are trying to make each other jealous. Shavonda keeps saying that she didn't kiss any boys, even though no one in the room really cares whether she did or not. But if she accepts that they don't care, then she wouldn't be getting all this attention. Landon is wearing blue boxer shorts, and you can totally see every bit of his bits through the cloth, and it's grossing me out, so that's all I'm going to say about that. Shavonda asks if her lips look flushed and gets all fake-mad that they don't believe her. MJ asks how many girls Landon kissed, and then accuses them both of being whores. Shavonda keeps insisting that she didn't kiss anybody. Give it a rest! Landon is just laughing at her. She's just arguing for the sake of arguing.
The day, Landon and Shavonda wake up together and start kissing. Shavonda interviews that she and Landon are compatible in bed, but that she doesn't know if there's anything deeper, and she doesn't really want to know. They walk to the bathroom together as the camera focuses on Karamo and Ed snuggled in bed together. Shavonda and Landon take a shower together. Ed and Karamo walk into the bathroom. Karamo looks at the shower, confused, and then starts chuckling when he realizes who it is. Shavonda sneaks out, and Landon follows. Karamo interviews that he doesn't care anymore about Shavonda and Landon's relationship, because they are two consenting adults who can do what they want. Maybe Karamo just needed to get laid to mellow out a little bit.