Harlem Heights: Caught In The Act
What's Going Down Uptown: The Battle of The Back-Tippers
2009-04-01

Instant Replay:
 
First, a lesson in the law of “back-tipping:” the grimiest of carnal sins to be committed within any tight-knit, co-ed crew.  When going after a friend’s romantic interest, you are asking for drama - period.
 
Case in point:  A couple of episodes ago Pierre and Brooke shared some less than luke-warm chemistry on their first (and last) date.  Meanwhile Ashlie and Christian’s romance was off to a bit of a rocky start after an awkward double date mishap.  In all fairness, no immediate love connections were created, but they were dating nonetheless. 
 
While partying at club Body (where Ashlie bartends), Christian and Brooke catch a case of sloppy seconds and are caught red-handed. 
 
Last week they blamed it on the alcohol.  This week it’s time to face the consequences. 
 
Episode 6: 
 
The kiss seen around Harlem world created some delectable tv drama between feuding rivals Ashlie and Brooke.  But first, a newly dumped Christian had a confession to make to his boy Pierre. 
 
Meanwhile at an upscale wine bar Ashlie invites Dawn, a fellow Brooke-basher, for girl-talk.  Lines were crossed and, again it is time to pick sides. 
 
An issue resolved neatly between the guys with a simple conversation about respecting principles, escalates into an all-out show-down between the ladies.
 
But who can blame them?  When you get played by the guy you’re dating right in front of your face, the solution is quick and easy - you dump him.  When the site of infraction is your place of business and the other woman is your former best friend, you’ve entered a new level of sister-girl upset.   
 
Over a meal around the way Bridget, notorious for stirring the pot, squeakily prods Briana about her BFF’s infraction.
 
Briana excuses Brooke and Christian’s disrespectful behavior at the club with a remark about not paying attention to the “help” at the bar. 
 
For the first time since the show aired, I sided with Ashlie.  Don’t hate on the aspiring actress for her sidehustle and take her man.  That’s just wrong.  The shrill pitch of Bridget’s voice coupled with Briana’s callousness de-railed my interest as a viewer.  It took this assignment to not turn off the tv after that scene.
 
Amid rising tension, the entire crew unites at a swanky, late-night open-mic event to unwind.  New-jazz songstress Chrisette Michelle and emerging r&b heartthrob Brandon Hines serenade the crowd, filling the air with semblances of romance.
 
Jason gets “splashy” and starts spitting a load of inarticulate game to Kelli, a haughty secondary cast member who doesn’t exactly want to swim in his pond.  The odd-couple’s one-sided attraction is as embarrassing as it is highly entertaining.  Somehow theirs is the most convincing on-screen chemistry seen yet.       
 
On a couch nearby Brooke and Christian cozy up to confront the possibility of “real” feelings developing between them.  Their public canoodling performance ignites Ashlie and the girls.  Needless to say, it is on.   
 
When Brooke approaches Ashlie in the snake pit, hisses are unleashed.  But surprisingly they come from Ashlie’s friend Dawn who’s clearly got her own bone to pick.  Apparently Brooke has found her way into the role of the other woman before. 
 
Brooke gets called out with fighting words, “TRASH!” 
 
Ah, if only reality tv could tell-all.  From the looks of it, Brooke sure is building up a repertoire for being the one women love to hate – with valid reason.  Come to think of it, I don’t exactly recall hearing about any public break-ups between Kanye and his former fiancée over the last 4 years.  I digress…
 
The episode concludes with tears in Ashlie’s eyes as she faces Brooke for the first time since the incident.  The two address their long-standing beef stemming from Brooke’s “Kanye days.”  Could it be that these two squash the drama for good?
 
We’ll have to tune in next week to be sure.
 
Until then, whose side are you on?  And who’s really digging who? 
 
Friends or Foes:
Did Christian get off too easy?  Should Ashlie forgive Brooke and let by-gone’s be by-gone’s?  Or is Brooke the serial back-stabber she seems to be?
 
Lovers or Friends:
Could the Brooke and Christian forbidden fling last?  Was Kelli frontin’ about not feeling Jason?
 
What do you think?  Comment with your take on “What’s Going Down Uptown!”
 
-Elaine Welteroth