The First Two Episodes Of “Southern Charm” Season 9 Brought *Big* Drama Already
Olivia Taylor (she/her) is a writer, self-proclaimed reality TV buff and uses "Real Housewives" references unironically. Her camera roll is filled with Twitter screenshots and she will definitely talk your ear off for as long as you will let her. Find more of her pop culture ramblings just about anywhere on the internet.
Aleena Malik is a freelance writer specializing in entertainment and pop culture stories, shopping and style trend reporting, and food and recipe hacks. Aleena has written for publications like Brit + Co, Screen Rant and We Got This Covered and has worked for The Walt Disney Company and Estee Lauder. She is an avid reader, a passionate consumer of entertainment, and a total coffee connoisseur.
It might not be as easy as the birds and the bees and the 1-2-3s after all.
After a couple of relatively underwhelming Southern Charm seasons, a cast shake-up is bringing a whole lot of new drama to the 843. The first two episodes of season 9 are already out...and my, oh my, they've been juicy. The Charleston crew welcomed back longtime series regulars Craig Conover, Austen Kroll and Shep Rose, along with (somewhat) recent additions Madison LeCroy, Venita Aspen, Olivia Flowers, Taylor Ann Green and Leva Bonaparte, and newbies Jarrett Thomas, Rodrigo Reyes and Rod Razavi. From friendships on thin-ice to cheating accusations and everything in between, all we have to say is we're fastening our seat belts for the wild ride that the rest of season 9 is sure to bring.
Thanks to the enticing trailer, we knew that season 9 would be filled with plenty of relationship drama, the kind that typically besets the cast of Southern Charm. Questionable relationship statuses, probably too much intermingling between the friend group…you get the point. The first two episodes have already lived up to our expectations, and we can't wait to see what happens next.
"Southern Charm" Season 9, Episode 1 Recap
The first episode, entitled "Vows, Vendettas, and Vibrators," has more than we could ever imagine playing out in just one episode. In preparation to marry to her sweetheart, Madison is hosting a wedding party, but that doesn't mean that love is in the air for everyone.
Austen Kroll was in attendance, which was sliiightly awkward, considering he's Madison's ex...and another one of his exes, Olivia Flowers, was also in attendance. Craig was also caught up in some more awkwardness, as he finds himself in the middle of a crazy reunion between exes, Taylor and Shep.
Things got even crazier when Taylor accused Craig's girlfriend, Paige, of being unfaithful. This made massive headlines, and viewers were left on the edge of their seats to find out what happened next.
"Southern Charm" Season 9, Episode 2 Recap
Episode 2 only picks up on the drama, as hard is that may be to believe. Entitled "Spilling the JT", the episode follows Craig vehemently denying Taylor's accusations. He told the cameras during a confessional, "Look, what Taylor said about Paige, it's bulls*t. But I know what Taylor's dealing with: she didn't mean it."
One especially memorable moment that has viewers talking is when Madison throws away the sex toy that Taylor gifted her. Many on social media are confused as to why she wouldn't just donate it to one of her single friends in need.
What's To Come For "Southern Charm" Season 9?
Based on the trailer, we still have plenty more in store for season 9. For example, we'll probably get more insight into Craig and Paige's relationship. In past seasons of their shows, the couple have chatted about their “future” together many times. Paige has consistently made it clear that she’s not ready (or perhaps even interested) in an engagement or marriage anytime soon. It’s clear that Craig is getting anxious with this response, as he keeps bringing up the topic, leaving fans to wonder if the pair are *really* a match written in the stars.
As you may have noticed, the cast doesn’t include Kathryn Dennis, who initially appeared on the show as a bright-eyed 21 year old in Season 1. Following Season 8, Kathryn stepped away from the franchise, unfortunately losing custody of her two children to their father Thomas Ravenel, who you may know as a former Southern Charm cast member, convicted felon, failed politician, Kathryn’s ex-boyfriend and/or a man 29 years her senior.
Naomi Olindo, who was previously cast in the show, will also not return for Season 9.
In better news, Rodrigo has become the first openly gay man on the show, as he joins many of his longtime friends in the limelight. Rodrigo is an interior designer in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend, Tyler, and we can’t wait to continue to see him on our screens.
Photo by: Paul Cheney/Bravo
Southern Charm season 9 premiered September 14 on Bravo and new episodes are released every Thursday. They are available to stream the next day on Peacock.
What do you think about this season? Will you be watching? Let us know @BritandCo!
Header image courtesy of bravotv.com.
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Olivia Taylor (she/her) is a writer, self-proclaimed reality TV buff and uses "Real Housewives" references unironically. Her camera roll is filled with Twitter screenshots and she will definitely talk your ear off for as long as you will let her. Find more of her pop culture ramblings just about anywhere on the internet.