Jax Taylor’s Departure Isn’t Enough. It’s Time to Put The Valley Out of Its Misery

by

The genre of television has taken a more somber turn lately. Shows like “Black Mirror” and “Severance”, as well as numerous true-crime series, are now commonly discussed around water coolers. These programs depict dark futuristic scenarios, such as the post-apocalyptic worlds in “The Last of Us” or “Silo”, or the sterile environments of billionaires in “Paradise”. Even dramas that claim to be realistic often incorporate murder mysteries to create tension. However, surprisingly, the most disheartening TV show – apart from any news broadcast – is a reality series focusing on affluent couples living in Los Angeles suburbs.

As a film enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on Bravo’s “The Valley.” This spinoff of “Vanderpump Rules” takes us on a journey from the club-restaurant scene to the suburbs, following some of the most scandalous characters from the original series. Initially, it was intended as light entertainment, with a comedic twist revolving around young Angelenos grappling with maturity, mortgages, and parenthood, much like the early seasons of “Vanderpump” or Bravo’s other popular franchises such as Real Housewives and Below Deck.

However, what started as a light-hearted show has taken a darker turn. Over two seasons, we’ve witnessed many cast members tearing their lives and families apart amidst the glaring spotlight. The entertainment value has been replaced by an uncomfortable sense of pain. It’s no longer enjoyable to watch.

Now, as the second season concludes with a series of dismal reunion episodes, I can’t help but feel that Bravo should consider ending the show. The drama and chaos have become too much for even the most avid viewers.

The initial broadcast in March set the stage for the show’s intended atmosphere, similar to that of the Housewives series, focusing on the larger-than-life characters and minor soap operas within a self-proclaimed social circle (a term used in reality TV for a cast that may or may not interact outside of filming).

Former stars of Vanderpump, Jax Taylor, known as a reformed ladies’ man, and his wife Brittany Cartwright, a charming woman from Kentucky who seemed to have helped Jax turn over a new leaf, were presented as the leading couple. Also returning to Bravo after being dismissed from Vanderpump for racially insensitive actions was Kristen Doute, now attempting to start a family with her partner, the soft-spoken Luke Broderick from L.A.

The cast was rounded out by other characters such as Jesse Lally and Michelle Saniei, a married real estate duo with a young child. Danny Booko, an actor, and Nia Booko, former Miss USA, were juggling three children under the age of two (now they have four under four). Janet Caperna was extremely intense and heavily pregnant; her husband, Jason, tended to keep a low profile. Lastly, we were introduced to Jasmine Goode and Zack Wickham, both openly queer individuals, but their personal lives did not seem to be integral to the group’s storyline.

In the premiere, Jax, likely influenced by producers, attempted to stir up trouble with Kristen by challenging her personal decisions about fertility. However, nothing significant transpired during this episode. The couples argued and criticized each other, a common occurrence among many relationships. The episode reached its peak at a country fair-themed birthday party for Janet, where Jax playfully pulled down Danny’s pants, revealing that he wasn’t wearing underwear. Earlier in the show, Zack made an observation that proved to be spot on and became increasingly relevant as the series progressed: “These people move to the Valley, buy a house, have some kids, and suddenly they think they’ve grown up. But these folks don’t mature.

In many similar television series, conflicts within and among couples often intensify as the season progresses. However, if you weren’t keeping up with the numerous celebrity-focused tabloids, podcasts, or social media platforms that closely monitor the lives of reality stars, it could still be shocking to witness a six-month time jump in the finale. This leap brought us updates on two couples – Jesse and Michelle, as well as Jax and Brittany – who had parted ways since filming concluded. Throughout the show’s break, there were troubling whispers about Jax, including his cocaine addiction, a stint in rehab during which Brittany filed for divorce, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and PTSD based on years of speculation by Bravo viewers, another rehab stay, and so on.

The majority of the events were detailed in this year’s emotionally detached second season, which began with Brittany revealing and Jax confirming his aggressive, furniture-smashing reaction to finding flirtatious text messages she had exchanged with one of his friends, despite their separation and freedom to date. The audience discovered that he had also been spying on his estranged wife through home security cameras, and witnessed him sending furious texts from rehab. In keeping with the pattern of any dedicated fan of Vanderpump, he sometimes lied, sometimes showed remorse and vowed to change, and sometimes portrayed himself as a victim, claiming it was Brittany who had broken up the family by separating him from his son (though one could argue she had good reason). Each episode seemed to unveil another shocking revelation.

In the group, Jax wasn’t alone in his questionable behavior – it even surpassed what is usually seen on reality TV. While Jax and Michelle both had new partners and were co-parenting, albeit not harmoniously, things escalated between them. Jesse suspected that Michelle was unfaithful to him with her current boyfriend before their separation. He publicly called her a prostitute and spread rumors that a billionaire was paying her for sexual favors. They argued over whether Michelle could take their daughter on a trip to see her dying mother.

What was less anticipated was the revelation about Danny, who seemed like a good guy. At a Halloween party between seasons, he was drunk and inappropriately touched Jasmine and her fiancée, Melissa Carelli. After apologizing and receiving forgiveness, this incident became a major theme throughout the season, causing division among the cast as to whether Danny had an alcohol problem that Nia was helping him conceal.

Regardless of whether you prefer to use strong terms like domestic violence, emotional abuse, sexual assault, stalking, slander, slut-shaming, and so on, it’s hard to imagine anyone finding pleasure in watching real people subjected to such a long list of cruel treatments. It’s even more disheartening when these behaviors are accepted as part of the narrative in TV shows that aim to intensify minor disputes and feuds into senseless conflicts that are sometimes amusing. Real pain is a stark contrast to the entertainment genre that thrives on rich people’s problems (which might be why The Real Housewives of New York City ended abruptly this past January, during a season finale where one cast member accused another of insensitivity towards her traumatic experience as a rape survivor). These issues aren’t meant for lighthearted discussion over cocktails, like they often are on Watch What Happens Live, where Andy Cohen and the cast members of The Valley would discuss viewer opinions about the Jax-Brittany breakup or feelings towards Janet’s labeling Danny’s blackout incident as sexual assault.

The recent turmoil on RHONY highlights that it’s not the first Bravo reality show to delve deeper into darkness than usual for the genre. However, the excessive number of problematic storylines and incidents in its second season hints at a particularly troubling core issue. I believe this focus is on the unique kinds of dysfunction that can arise within heterosexual marriages and families. Although husbands and children are present in all Housewives casts, they seldom take center stage. Numerous female friendships, along with other plot devices like frequent trips, keep the emphasis on female camaraderie, which, despite its issues, generally avoids depicting sexual violence, abuse, or infidelity. Infidelity has been a recurring theme in Vanderpump (before Scandoval, Jax was the resident chronic philanderer) and other mixed-gender “friend group” shows like Summer House. The key difference is that these casts are typically younger, unmarried, and childless; the consequences of their reckless behavior are less severe, less likely to lead them to court or rehab, and their children, who in the case of The Valley families are too young to actively engage with the Bravo universe, are not involved in therapy.

Given the current situation, it’s hard to imagine The Valley getting fixed, despite appearances. Taylor’s decision to leave the show brings some relief, not just for Cartwright and his son, but also for those who may struggle with maintaining a distance from someone who has caused them distress. Even if he claims to prioritize his sobriety, mental health, and co-parenting relationship, it remains challenging for anyone’s wellbeing to depend on interacting, either on or off camera, with such an individual. However, Taylor isn’t the only cast member in a similar predicament.

Despite her presence, it’s unclear what could be salvaged from a show where the main group lacks genuine camaraderie. The cast doesn’t have a captivating standout performer (the transformation of Vanderpump villain Doute into the most likable member has been noted). Episodes lack the amusing social interactions found in the most entertaining seasons of Vanderpump and Housewives. For instance, the slapstick humor of Jax pranking Danny was swiftly followed by Nia crying over her husband’s embarrassment. The creators of The Valley assumed that conflict would arise when people accustomed to partying for two decades transitioned into calmer, suburban lifestyles. However, they didn’t foresee the tragic nature that this chaos would take.

Read More

2025-08-13 05:06