Well friends, this is it. This is the end.
Bravo will neither confirm nor deny that Married to Medicine Houston will be returning for season two, but now, nearly two years after this initial season wrapped filming, there have been no moves (that we know of) to continue filming. So, my dears, enjoy the last 44 minutes of our favorite medical professionals, because, while I’m no Herb the astrologer, my tea leaves tell me that this premier season will also be the only season.
But before we begin our collective mourning, let’s celebrate, because Imad and Monica are finally, finally getting along. They’re actually communicating and listening to each other without fighting, and Monica’s has arranged for her mother and Imad to meet, which is a big step in her family. This meeting doesn’t include Monica’s father, because she wants to get her mother’s approval first and then chip away at her dad.
They gather at El Tiempo for the famly powwow, and Imad is visibly nervous, which is a good look on his smug face for a change. Sorry, I forgot I’m not currently hating on Imad, cause he’s been a good guy lately.
Anyway, the initial meeting goes smoothly, but then Monica asks her mom what she wants for her daughter, and Monica’s mom replies that she thinks a highly educated woman deserves a highly educated man. I can’t say I disagree with that, but Imad takes offense, because he has worked hard to get where he is without a formal education, I guess? Imad worries that he’s never going to be good enough for her parents, but says that at the end of the day, it’s between him and Monica.
Not so fast there, buddy! Monica reminds him that early in their relationship, he told her that if her dad doesn’t approve of their relationship, he can’t marry her. So, yeah, it’s not just between them. Eventually, Monica’s mom says that if Monica’s happy, then she’s happy, which the couple takes as her blessing. Happy seems like a strong word to describe this relationship, though. Just saying.
Later, Ashandra and Ricky meet Ashandra’s sister, Devonya, and brother, Aaron, and the only purpose this gathering serves is to remind us all how much more perfect Ashandra’s entire freaking family is then we are. Thanks, guys.
All about Monica
This episode is all about Monica, though, so back at her house, she’s practicing a dance for a Bollywood-themed fundraiser Cindi Rose is hosting. Erika is preparing for the fundraiser as well, and she’s invited all the girls to her place before the event to get ready and drink bubbles. Monica’s mom is also invited, because no one knows how to put on a sari.
Ashandra shows up at Erika’s with multiple bags and demands a shower because she needs to literally wash her ass. If you were confused by that entrance, you are not alone. Everyone is kind of befuddled, but it’s okay, cause there’s plenty of champagne to be consumed while we wait for Ashandra’s ass to…get…cleaned.
Moving on! Monica and her mom arrive to get the ladies all Bollywooded up properly. By the way, Monica’s mom is adorable. Everyone is getting along too, which is great for them, but super boring for me. They’re all sharing jewelry and wearing beautiful saris and Monica talks about how she loves that they’re all from different cultures and so wonderfully representative of the Houston melting pot. The diversity of the cast is truly what makes this show special and unique from other Bravo shows, buuuuuuuut someone needs to throw a drink in someone else’s face ASAP.
As anyone who has been reading these recaps knows, I’ve had some choice words about Cindi Rose, but I will say the woman knows how to throw a party. The Bollywood event is stunning, and now I’m really sad that my invite got lost in the mail back when it happened.
Also, there’s a woman dressed as Cleopatra wearing what looks like the boning of a hoop skirt that has been refashioned into a drink holder, so she’s just walking around offering flutes of champagne to people from her skirt. It’s weird, and I’m very, very into it, because it seems like the type of thing only rich people get to have at their gatherings, and I desperately want to be a part of that.
The big question
Once Imad and Monica arrive at the party, Imad slips away and pulls Suzie aside. She immediately assumes he has another relationship woe to share with her (Suzie, you’re a saint), but shocker of shockers, the man pulls out an engagement ring to show her. He has decided (sort of, mostly, even though he’s still maybe not 100 percent on board) to propose to Monica after her big Bollywood dance.
Monica’s performance is lovely, but the best part of the dance was seeing the face of my buddy Herb, the astrologer, in the crowd. Quick, Herb, warn Monica of what’s about to happen!
Pegah picks this time, during a lovely event, to tell her sister Elly that she probably won’t be living in Houston much longer because her husband is taking a job elsewhere. Not the time or the place to devastate your sister, girlfriend!
Speaking of wrong time, wrong place, Imad grabs Monica immediately after her dance and ushers her outside and into his oh-so-romantic car. If you’re like me and could see where this was headed, this is the point at which you, too, decided tonight was the wrong evening to skip your nightly glass of wine, and you, too, grabbed the whole damn bottle and started chugging.
As they sit in the front seats, separated by the center console, Imad tells Monica that she’s crazy and psychotic and that they have a lot of things they need to work out in the future. And then he lists all the things they need to work out, cause nothing is more romantic than outlining the flaws in your relationship.
I know what you’re thinking: This sounds like a breakup speech. But, surprise! It’s actually a proposal! Yep, Imad gets the ring out of the center console and presents it to Monica with the words, “Will you marry me?”
There’s a good five second pause during which Monica looks like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming train. And then the words all men want to hear after they’ve proposed marriage: “I’m not sure.”
Imad seems dumbfounded and says he’s not going to put the ring on Monica’s finger unless she says yes. So Monica takes a good look at the giant rock and decides what the hell! She says yes, but I’m pretty sure it was just to add that ridiculous diamond to her collection.
They sit in the car for a while longer while Imad tries to process why Monica isn’t more excited and Monica tries to process what the hell she’s just agreed to. She was a bit taken aback by the proposal that outlined their foibles, which seems fair. Imad can’t handle adult conversations, though, so he throws a tantrum, telling Monica that she’s just proven him right about everything and that he wants the ring back.
When Monica tries to talk to him, he does what all mature men do when faced with a difficult discussion: He quite literally runs away. OK, maybe it was more of a walk, but DUDE. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Time to down some booze
Monica returns to the party and shows her friend Neera the ring that’s still on her finger in spite of the fact that her boyfriend fiancé this guy she knows just told her he’s done and stormed off. Neera’s initial squeal of delight is probably more the reaction Imad was expecting from Monica, but she quickly changes her tune when Monica explains what happened. Neera asks for a shot, which is what I’m doing now. Downing booze. I am so uncomfortable.
Once again, poor Suzie is pulled away by Imad who tells her he regrets the whole thing and he wants the ring back. While he’s doing this, Monica is inside showing the ring off to the girls as if everything is fine and dandy. When they ask if she’s engaged, she says, “I don’t know,” and continues staring into the flawless depths of her giant rock.
Rachel, rightly, says that if you want to marry someone, it should be the easiest decision ever. Elly suggests that Monica wouldn’t want to remember this day in a negative way, so maybe she should give the ring back. It’s too late for Monica, though. She is firmly in the grasps of the sparkly object, and nothing is going to separate her from her one true love. I’m talking about the ring, of course, not Imad.
She says she’s still processing, but she knows that she wants Imad and that he’s now going to require a grand gesture to apologize. So, in the middle of the fundraiser dance floor and with everyone watching, she goes to Imad, takes the ring off her finger, gets down on one knee and puts the ring on his finger.
If you watch only one scene from one episode of Married to Medicine Houston, make it this one. Not for the monumental display of affection from Monica to Imad, but for Ashandra’s facial expressions. Like most of us, she can’t quite wrap her head around what’s happening, and she makes no effort to hide her utter bewilderment.
Elly also seems confused. In fact, the whole group looks like they’re watching a car crash happen in front of them, which, essentially, they are. Ashandra says that if you feel the need to do what Monica just did, you should not be getting married. Rachel calls it a Bollywood bad romance. I open another bottle of wine.
Imad says yes, though, so apparently they’re engaged. After all that. Monica describes their relationship as being like a rollercoaster in that sometimes it makes her feel like vomiting. Ain’t love beautiful?
The episode — and most likely the whole series — comes to an end with everyone saying nice things about each other and the experience of filming the show. They all talk about how much they love and support each other and always tell each other the truth, even when it hurts.
Except Ashandra, who rightly notes that when you dance with the devil, you’re going to get burned. Amen.
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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!
Married to Medicine Houston Recap Episode 9: Havana Sights and a San Antonio miracle
If you watch only one scene from one episode of Married to Medicine Houston, make it this one. Not for the monumental display of affection from Monica to Imad, but for Ashandra’s facial expressions
