Haute Takes L&M: Huntsville ep 706. (Photo courtesy of Revelence )
Welcome to Haute Takes, the segment where culture gets reviewed, refined and occasionally revoked. If it’s giving excellence, it’s Haute. If it’s giving NOT, we’re bothered.
Today, we’re getting into the 200th episode of Love & Marriage: Huntsville, episode nine, “Arionne Curry-on.”
Spoilers ahead!
Martell’s mama needs boundaries
First, why is Martell’s mama involved in this relationship triangle?
Martell, stop trying to rewrite what your mother said about Destiny’s interest back in the day. Arionne, the gifts? It’s giving, “Let me purchase some goodwill.”
Mama does not need a gift bag. Everybody needs boundaries. Still, I’m bothered. Then came that double date. Lynn, were those red pants? It’s giving Kappa!
Tisha, everybody gets a bad wig day. But you are on television. Get that hair sponsored because we cannot run this unit back.
Marsau, holding Martell accountable does not mean Arionne gets a pass. Both things can be true. That “don’t get an attractive man” comment also had me confused. Sir, what exactly was the lesson?
Extremely bothered!
Nell’s story deserves more attention
Now, let’s pause for Nell.
Her caregiving story deserved more than a passing mention. Who supports the person everybody depends on? Can relatives share the responsibility? What community support is available to her?
Nell, thank you for having the courage to discuss that experience publicly.
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Marsau and Tisha need a different conversation
Now we get to the main event. Marsau and Tisha. I’m so bothered!
Watching Marsau interrupt Tisha, minimize her contribution and dismiss her while he was vulnerable was difficult to watch.
You cannot ask someone to build with you and then treat her like she is only there to take instructions. With Whitehall and the unfinished-project concerns Kimmy and Maurice raised, accountability cannot always land on somebody else.
Marsau, say it with me. “I messed up.” No pivot. No counterattack. Just a complete sentence. And Tisha, stop getting pulled into defending yourself every time you raise a concern.
Instead, ask directly. What do you want? What will you change? What does partnership with me actually look like? Saying “I’m selfish” is an admission. It is not a repair plan.
Tisha has to decide what to release
While Destiny appears ready to release Martell, Tisha has something to consider, too. What does she need to release?
Marriage takes work. Every relationship does. However, putting a relationship on television adds another layer of pressure.
Years invested cannot become the only reason someone keeps investing. Time matters. So does the quality of the partnership. I am not declaring that anybody cheated. What I am saying is that commitment requires honesty, respect and rules both people agree to.
You cannot privately change the rules and expect your partner to keep playing.
Choose yourself, Tisha
This message is for Tisha. Choose yourself more.
Your children are watching what partnership looks like. They see how people communicate, handle conflict, apologize and set boundaries. So ask yourself what you are teaching them.
Are you showing them what it means to be respected? Or are you teaching them what they should learn to tolerate?
Your daughters may carry those lessons into their own relationships. Your son may also learn what he believes he can do in a relationship. That is something worth thinking about.
Show your children that love includes respect. Show them that protecting your peace is not failure. My empathy is with Tisha. Marsau’s tears do not erase the way he spoke to her. She should not feel responsible for fixing the situation alone.
This has been Haute Takes, and I’m Porsha Monique.
Until next time, if it’s not haute, it’s not worth the watch.
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