Real World Philadelphia, Episode 15: Actions, Words, and Everything In Between

Last Week: Landon dabbled with forbidden fruit, Shavonda learned a lesson about the challenged and herself.

Karamo and his boyfriend, Dorian, are lounging and chatting. Karamo mentions that he has no friends of other races because his father got him started at a young age distrusting people different than him. Dorian says some of his best friends are white, which seems to visibly annoy Karamo. When Dorian leaves, Karamo confides to Willie that he is having doubts about this relationship. Willie says Dorian is so nice, Karamo agrees, but he listens to, like, 80's R&B! The horror?

To us, Karamo says they have lots of "intellectual conversations" (what, about the Gap Band?) But, when that's over, is there any oomph?

Sarah talks to her mother on the phone. Sounds like the cancer that was in remission has begun attacking again, and Sarah's mother is dealing with chemotherapy, which she describes as "some sort of medieval torture." Sarah's eyes brim with tears as her mother vents. She tells MJ that her eating disorders began when her mother was first diagnosed. Sarah says she hasn't done anything in months, and notes the irony that while her mother fights to survive, Sarah begins doing self-destructive things to herself. Freud would eat this one with a spoon!

Karamo gets a visit from his ex-girlfriend, Brie. Karamo tells us he is proud that they were able to remain friends after he came to terms with his homosexuality and told her about it. They visit the African-American museum in Philadelphia, then sit down to a bite to eat. Brie asks how things are going with Dorian, and Karamo expresses more of his deal-breaking doubts (this time, Dorian listens to "too much pop music!"). Brie chokes down her wine and tells him he can't possibly judge a person on their musical tastes! (Thank you!) Karamo says he wants someone who is a bit more into the hip-hop culture. Brie says maybe he expose some of that culture to Dorian (I like her!). Karamo sniffs "we'll see." (I think we'll see them breaking up before this show is over!)

Sarah gets a call from her sister who announces that she and Mom will be stopping in Philadelphia instead of my hometown of Baltimore en route to New York, so be prepared to receive! Sarah balks at this, she would have appreciated some warning. "We just decided!" sister says, as if that settles everything. Sarah says she does have a job (and as those of us with jobs know, you can't just decide to be off with no notice!), sis says, "Fine, be a bitch!" and passes the phone off to Mom, who is much more understanding. But, they are coming. Sarah tells Mel that she would have liked some warning, but ultimately gets to the root of the problem - she's never seen the physical effects of her mother's cancer and it scares her. While it may sound sort of selfish, I completely understand where she's coming from. It's a devastating thing for children to see their parents vulnerable. On an intellectual level, you know they are only human, but there is always a part of us who childishly expect our parents to always be there for us when our noses are running.

Sarah retreats to the comfort of her bad, for a little cry. Mel comes to console her. Sarah says she is just feeling all the things she can't avoid, right now.

Later, Sarah calls her mother and suggests they all meet for dinner. There is her sister, Rachel, and I can already tell she's a piece of work! Sarah tells us she understands she can't control her mother's sickness, but that doesn't make it any easier for her. She self-diagnoses her need to control (her body, men) as an offshoot of this. At dinner, Mom has good humor about her illness, but every joke is like a jab to Sarah's heart. Sarah tries to lighten the mood and shows off her muscles. This prompts Rachel to ask if she's been "throwing up again." That stops the music! Sarah is aghast. Why would you ask that? Because! But, why? Because! Sarah is wounded, but Rachel has her eye-roll cranked on stun. Sarah says, "You know what happens to my face! Does my face look bloated?" Rachel, eye-roll, says no. There you go, then.

Sarah says she loves her sister, and they are very close, but "she does things that I just don't understand."

Speaking of not understanding, Dorian calls for Karamo. Willie wakes a sleeping Karamo to tell him Dorian is on the phone. Karamo says tell him I'll call him back. Willie says he wants to come over, should he just come? No, Karamo says. That's a tough message to deliver, so Willie... doesn't. He just says, "he'll call you right back!" Karamo goes back to sleep... to be awakened by Dorian! Uh-oh. Karamo is chilly in reception, Dorian says he'll be downstairs. Karamo tells us he hates when people just show up at your house! He really hates that! Karamo manages to rouse himself and get dressed. Dorian introduces him to his best friend, Steve (white). Karamo says he has a killer headache, and he'd love to go out with them, really he would, but he's just not able. And, returns to bed.

Until Dorian and Steve leave with MJ and Landon! Willie eyes them making their way around the corner, and he and Karamo dash off to Pure! "Shady, shady, shady!" Willie tells us. Indeed! Karamo starts justifying, saying Dorian comes over unannounced (well, he did call!), he'd make a great friend but not a boyfriend and blahblahblah. Later, Dorian returns to the house, to find Karamo gone. He tells Sarah he doesn't understand what's going on. Sarah says to us she knows Karamo is a hot and cold person, but that wasn't fair. Willie tells us he thinks its wrong for Karamo to lead Dorian on.

Dorian is not done yet! At 3:10 AM, he calls Karamo and proceeds to let him have it. This is a side I've never seen of you! Karamo tells us, basically, that Dorian is out of line because he's not Karamo's boyfriend, they're just "talking." (Translation: status has not been determined, they are in negotiations.) Dorian doesn't seem to share this impression, however. Karamo says this is a conversation they should have in person and they will "definitely clear some things up."

Sarah says her goodbyes to her family. Oh yeah, bye Rachel. She tells Mel that on some level, she has already begun grieving. Mel tells her she doesn't have to, her mother is still here! Mel says she is always there to talk if Sarah wants to. Maybe Sarah needs an outlet for her feelings instead of letting them eat her up. Sarah says she definitely has to change the way she 's doing things (and how she handles things).

Dorian arrives, he and Karamo have what looks like a pistols at dawn face-off, then Karamo suggests-commands they go outside. (And, we know he didn't want the camera crew with them, either. But, that's why this is the Real World!) Karamo tells us he is very good at expressing his views and his passions, but he's not so good at expressing his feelings. Dorian says what he saw last night was not who he thought Karamo was. He feels Karamo can accomplish anything he decides he wants to, but he should remember that his actions always speak louder than his pretty words. Once Karamo gets tired of squirming, he says they should always be "close boyz," but that's it! It's a wrap! Dorian says he's making himself look stupid again, but Karamo has already begun his dramatic exit.

To us, Karamo says he doesn't like how things ended with Dorian, but it has to be that way. The next person he gets involved with, Karamo says he has to be absolutely bloodlettingly honest with!

Next Episode: Is a long time from now! Real World is taking a three-week break! Stinger's on vacation! But, when the return, Shavonda's crying, MJ is justifying, the cops are called and no one what the Sam Hill is going on!

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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