But both Kiele Sanchez andKingdomshowed such courage and integrity in the way they handled Lisas return.
Somehow, they managed to stay true to her character while also staying true to her trauma.
And it was nothing if not powerful.
Credit: Erik Heinila
We start the hour with a flashback to the night Lisa lost the baby.
And if that wasnt heartbreaking enough, the first thing she says is, Call Alvey.
Thats our first sign that perhaps Lisadidwant Alvey by her side throughout this journey.
And thats when she texts Alvey to say, Im here.
Well, not all at once.
Roxanne worked out a structured payment plan.
However, thats the only plan shes going to work out today.
Or is it a private session with Ryan?
As for what time he needs?
That being said, Alvey gives her twice the amount of time he gives Ryan.
And the thing you have to love about Alvey is hes going to be straight with you.
So when Alicia asks if he realizes Ryan did it on purpose, Alvey tells her like it is.
Jay apologizes for his condition at Nates fight, but when Nate brings up Christina, things go south.
If she wants him home, why isnt she at the motel?
When that doesnt work, Nate pleads with his brother.
Youre gonna fking die in here and I need you.
Do you hear what Im saying to you?
But for now, he heads back inside and promises to call Nate later.
And although Nate might not know it immediately, his visit did work.
Elsewhere, Alvey meets up with Lisa, who tells him shes seeing a psychiatrist who specializes in miscarriages.
(Of course.)
And cue the moment we all knew was coming: Lisa tells Alvey shes ready to come back.
the girl Christina knew from rehab and gave her card to in case of an emergency.
One rainy day later, Chelsey calls looking for a place to stay.
So Nate might not have been able to get Jay home, but now hes got a new roommate.
Nate confronts his mother about why she wont talk to Jay, about her fear of what hell say.
But when Christina denies it, Nate continues his streak of rather blunt honesty.
As the only together one in the family, he tells her: Hes like this cause of you.
Youre worse than dad.
Over at Ryans house, Keith is telling Ryan all about what he can expect from reading the Bible.
As he puts it, the disciples are 12 fishermen who learn how to do miracles and st. Those guys are ridiculous.
For one thing, shes not nearly as shy or embarrassed as she should be.
As Alicia responds: Fk you, alright.
I like to fk, Keith.
Do you have a fking problem with that?
Alvey tells his son hes going to corner Ryan in the fight and leave Joe Daddy to handle Jay.
AsJonathan Tucker told EW, its in this moment that Jay disconnects from his father.
And its this moment that, in a way, finally sets Jay free.
Yet, Jays not free of Ava.
After he gets Mac to give him more cocaine, the two of them head back to the motel.
However, at least this time, Jay does not partake.
But its not what youre hoping: Nate tells Will hes not ready to do this just yet.
I need you, he tells her.
The gym doesnt work without you.
I want you to come back.
Alvey agrees to Lisas 25-percent ownership, finally realizing she deserves at least that.
As for their relationship, he feels the need to tell her hes seeing someone.
And in a beautifully navigated performance from Kiele Sanchez, you see her pain.
And its not that its jealousy.
Its not that she wants Alvey back.
Its that, while she was grieving, he was dating.
Because in that moment, her face says it all.
