It’s the final countdown, ladies and gents, the second-to-last episode of Married to Medicine Houston (probably ever), which means storylines that we’ve been following all season are finally coming to some sort of resolution.
Like the damn Havana Nights fundraiser. How many episodes have we been hearing about this ode to old Cuba that will fund the dental area of the new wellness center? The anticipation is killing me. But we’re finally here, at some warehouse-type event venue in Montrose, a neighborhood that seems to be somewhat of a mystery to Ashandra and Rachel when they arrive. I don’t know where you ladies normally hang out, but welcome to Montrose. We have great restaurants, great dive bars and many of the gays. It’s a magical place.
Not so magical (yet) is the event venue, which is pretty bare bones, but Rachel is confident she can turn it into Cuba in no time. Theresa Roemer (of closet fame) joins the group to discuss the fashion show that will take place at the fundraiser. Ashandra jokes that because Theresa's so buff, she could be security at the event, and I would LOVE to see that.
Next we catch up with Derika, who enjoy a rare lunch meetup at Croissant Brioche in Rice Village. They chat about what area of medicine Derek might go into after residency, and, over a slice of cake and a ham quiche, the words “colon surgery I love” and “hand-sewn colon anastomosis” come out of Derek’s mouth. The pure delight with which he states, “Colo-rectal sounds super appealing” is actually kind of adorable if you don’t think about it too hard.
After the news that having a baby is going to be harder than they expected, Derek and Erika have taken a break from all the complicated medical stuff and are trying things the old-fashioned way. Then Derek says he might want to move back to Abilene to work, and I just want to remind him that this is what Abilene looks like. And this is what Houston looks like. I rest my case.
To salvage her failing relationship, Monica has traveled to San Antonio to visit Imad, since usually he has to come visit her in Houston. Apparently he’s not expecting her, and surprising a dude who can’t commit to anything sounds like a greeeeeat idea. He does seem pleased to see her, though, so I’m the surprised person in this situation.
I don’t know if it’s because he was at work when Monica showed up so he had to be on his best behavior or if he’s more comfortable in San Antonio or what, but this is the nicest I’ve ever seen Imad. He was almost charming, which freaks me out much more than when he’s being an asshole. I don’t know how to handle these feelings of compassion toward him. I hope he does something rude again soon so I can get back to a state of equilibrium.
Back at the event space for the Havana Nights fundraiser, Theresa is casting models for her fashion show, and Ashandra, Pegah and Rachel practice their runway walks, as they’ll be modeling as well. Theresa says Ashandra walks like a stripper, and Rachel walks like a chihuahua, so this is one fashion show you won’t want to miss.
The next day, Monica wakes up at Imad’s house in San Antonio and tries to make breakfast. Evidently, she can’t cook. Like, she can’t even make eggs. But girlfriend can fix hearts, so no judgment here.
Then, finally, they start talking about their issues. Imad thinks Monica needs to allow her parents to get to know him. They’ve never met because Monica worries that they won’t be cool with the fact that Imad is Muslim or that he’s a chauvinistic jerk. She admits to having residual issues from her past relationship, but Imad convinces her that they need to move forward, so Monica calls her parents right then to make plans to introduce them to Imad.
Throughout this whole exchange, Imad was…like…nice. And understanding. He even ate Monica’s shitty eggs. Am I in the Twilight Zone? Quick, Imad, say something awful so I can go back to hating you! I don’t know how to function in this brave, new world!
Party time
Later, in a universe where people are staying true to their characters and not messing with my head, Imad, the ladies are preparing for the Havana Nights fundraiser in different ways. Rachel and Maribel are getting spray tans, Erika is getting her makeup done while wearing bloody scrubs, and Pegah picks Elly’s nose for her, because that’s what sisters do. I mean, I think. I’m an only child. Is that what sisters do? It’s weird.
The venue for the fundraiser has indeed been transformed, with palm fronds and flowy white fabric and…giant gilded love seats? Eh, whatever, it works. Not working so much are all the damn fedoras in the building. It’s like the only thing people know about Cuba is that people there wear fedoras, but they’ve been so woefully co-opted by hipsters in recent years that all the party-goers look like they’re wandering around trying to find the best mixology joint in Brooklyn.
Apparently the venue is incredibly hot, though, so that fits perfectly with the theme. Props for authenticity there, guys.
Then the fashion show begins, and, thankfully none of the non-models in the show take it too seriously and try to Ramona Singer down the runway. J. Michael, creator of crazy hats and wearer of obnoxious tutus, stands up and starts dancing as Ashandra walks down, though, and I want to tell him to sit the fuck down and stop trying to steal her thunder!
At the end of the event, Ricky announces that the silent auction raised $14,000, which is a little shy of the $50,000 goal and a lot shy of the $500,000 that Ashandra initially said was needed for the wellness center to open its dental practice. But aside from the intense sweating, the party was deemed a success. Rachel got to show Cindi Rose that she can throw an event, Erika got to show Maribel that she can dress for a theme, and Ashandra got to give back to her community.
San Antonio surprise
Surprisingly, things are going well in San Antonio, too, where Monica is joining Imad for his brother’s birthday party. Monica’s family has never met Imad, but she is fairly close with his family, particularly his sister-in-law Suzie, who serves as a couples counselor for the pair and probably has to see a therapist of her own because of it.
Imad tells Suzie that he wants to make things work with Monica, but he feels like she’s never willing to compromise — she wants to get married and have kids on her timeline and in her city. He also reveals that he bought a ring to propose to Monica, but he keeps changing his mind about doing it. And then…crap, he doesn’t say anything remotely offensive or misogynistic. Well, that’s disappointing. I’m feeling things for Imad that I never knew I could feel…like understanding…sympathy…not pure hatred.
This is very unsettling. Fortunately, it looks like he’s back to his smarmy ways in the next episode, and thank god for that. Actually kind of liking Imad is more than I can bear.
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Next up: The Season Finale. Previous recaps:
Here's everything that happened on the first episode of Married to Medicine Houston
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 2: Holi Moley, pole dancing, and a visit to the dog wash
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 3: Crawfish drama and other cheesy moments
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 4: Cindi Rose returns, praise Monica!
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 5: Shabbat ShalOMG!, iPhone love and shots for everyone
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 6: Imanchild, hot mama, and restaurant confrontation
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 7: It's time to party with the Mad Hatters!
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 8: Twinkle, Twinkle...how bizarre!
Theresa, send from left, says Ashandra, left, walks like a stripper, and Rachel, second from right, walks like a chihuahua, so this is one fashion show you won’t want to miss.
