Strange Love, Episode 4: The Couple of the Year?

After a review of previous episodes, including scenes from the disastrous mayor’s gala, we get right to the action. Actually, it seems that, thankfully, we missed the real action. It’s the proverbial “morning after,” and Flavor Flav and Brigitte wake up together, once again. But it seems that the emotions of the past evening led to their finally “getting it on.” Flav is jubilant, while Brigitte is feeling guilty. She is, of course, still engaged to Mattia. Flav suggests that she not call her fiancé since that will only confuse matters more. Figuring timing is everything, he invites her to come home to New York with him.

Brigitte tells us that she needs more time with Foofy Foofy in order to make her decision. She is worried about “losing everything.” Meanwhile, Flav raps about how great everything is. Dressed in matching white robes, they step out onto the balcony, which overlooks beautiful Lake Cuomo. Flav remarks that he would swim the whole lake for her. They admire the rays of the sun and hoot it up a bit, annoying their neighbors. They do this “I’m taller than you” thing and he puts croissants on the horns of his Viking helmet. How sweet.

Flav figures the way to her heart (or something) is by spending some time in the Jacuzzi. He orders up some champagne and fills the tub with bubbles so that people can’t see “what’s going on down there.” Flav is smitten, that’s for sure. He loves her sincerity and her body. Flav thinks that they might just be the “couple of the year,” and a delightfully corny song begins illustrating their sometimes confusing love for one another. Hokey, yes, but certainly amusing. Whoever is writing this show has a great sense of the inane!

It’s all quite lovely until he knocks over her wineglass with his foot. Flav freaks out and Brigitte is somewhat disturbed by his outburst. He totally over-reacts, criticizing the maid and generally acting like a spoiled child. Brigitte has to walk away from this scene, and tells us that she is concerned about his behavior.

The beat goes on, however, and the happy couple emerges from the hotel for their next adventure. Gitte is wearing Flav’s suit from the night before complete with shoes. It looks pretty good on her, actually. She has arranged for a trip to a winery for them, but doesn’t tell Flav where they are going. They drive off in a vintage limousine and arrive at the winery of Daniele Travi. Flav is still wearing his helmet. Travi is polite enough, but seems a bit bemused by Flav’s antics. At first, Flav doesn’t realize that they are at an actual winery and thinks they are just going to have dinner.

When he finally understands where they are, he seems excited and is thrilled to be able to get into a vat and stomp grapes. This scene is certainly a bit much – Flav dances in the grapes long after Brigitte tires of this activity. He can’t wait to drink the wine that he made.

Of course that doesn’t happen, and instead they are treated to some salami and cheese. Gitte is embarrassed when he tries to act like some kind of wine expert, telling the server, “White wine goes better with cheese and meat, and red wine goes with salad.”

At any rate, Flav doesn’t much like Brigitte’s response to him and tells her that he doesn’t like it when she is disrespectful of him. She immediately goes on the defensive, saying that she isn’t being disrespectful and that this is simply the way she “tells it like it is.” He points out that it is the way she talks to him and she promises to try and stop doing this. She tells us that she thinks he is trying to conquer her heart. And this seems to be working. Much as she seems to be trying to fight it, she is certainly falling for Foofy Foofy.

They leave the winery and take a boat to a little, romantic town where they go shopping. Flav buys her some sort of raincoat and comments that she is like a female version of Flavor Flav. She is certainly outrageous. Brigitte realizes that the world around them doesn’t accept them as a couple, but she doesn’t care. Her feelings for him are strong, yet she is still quite conflicted. What to do?

They sit down to dinner, and it is time to get serious. Flav tells her that he has never connected with anyone on such a deep level before. He is so bizarre, and yet when he talks to her this way, his sincerity is almost sweet. What a conundrum he is, our little Flav. Again, he asks her to come with him to New York. Brigitte is conflicted and tells Flav that she misses Mattia. She says that she feels real guilty, and asks Flav, “What do you want from me?” His answer? “Love.” This man is for real.

Flav brings up the subject of her coming to America once again. Finally, Brigitte breaks down and confesses her real fear. What if she goes with him and then, when she returns, finds everyone gone? Flav recognizes her insecurity and fear of being left alone. He tells her that if she were to come with him and then come home and find that Mattia has left, she can pick up the phone and call Flav. He will be back in a flash. Thus reassured, Brigitte agrees to make the trip. As they conclude this conversation, fireworks appear in the background. Scripted? Maybe, maybe not.

Previews of the next episode are enticing. Flav meets Brigitte’s kids (where have they been through all of this?), and it appears that their reaction is somewhat reminiscent of the people at the gala. Also, Brigitte has to go back to her apartment to pack, and of course say goodbye to Mattia once again. Flav is nervous and it appears his anxiety is justified. As he waits for her, she is cuddled up with Mattia. These crazy kids!

Donna Reynolds is a self-proclaimed entertainment junkie and writes That's Entertainment, a daily column for syracuse.com highlighting events of local interest as well as her take on all things reality! She is also doing a weekly spot on a Syracuse radio station, commenting on the latest entertainment buzz. In addition, Donna does technical writing for a medical equipment company and is a part-time aquatic dance instructor. Whether you agree or disagree, Donna welcomes your comments and you can email her at dlrturtle@earthlink.net.

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