Welcome to the recap for Summer House Season 9 Episode 16 – the reunion! Last week was the finale, and summer was officially over. Just like Lexi and Jesse’s relationship. They ended on bad terms, with Lexi having no desire to be besties anytime soon. Paige also revealed she and Craig were dunzo as well. The two weren’t on speaking terms because Craig wouldn’t defend Paige against the cheating rumors. However, we did end on a high note with Lindsay holding her daughter in her arms. There’s going to be a lot to catch up on at the reunion! Here’s exactly what went down in Summer House Season 9, Episode 16: “Reunion Part 1.”
What happened in Summer House Season 9, Episode 16?
The reunion was anything but a snoozefest. West finally found his voice, much to his castmates’ chagrin. Paige cleared the air about her troubles with Craig, while Ciara gave insight into her feelings about West. We also got to know more about Imrul and how the show affected his personal life. And finally, Lexi confronted Jesse about #toegate, who claimed it really was only about his toes. But Lexi still felt something was afoot.
Paige and the case of the missing ring
The bedbugs have officially made it. The reunion set was decked out in their honor with plush blankets and bathrobes in soothing pastel colors, perfect for a nap. Everyone arrived in matching flowy pastel outfits, with Gabby having the best look of the bunch.
Then it was go time. Andy reminded West he could actually share his thoughts today. West joked he brought a note with the word “talk” on it to remind him. And boy did he make up for it. But first, Paige was up to bat to discuss her breakup with he who shall not be named.
Andy told Paige that Craig seemed surprised they were over. Paige said, “Craig and I have had this conversation for a year.” She spilled the tea they had actually broken up for a weekend back in February. Did Craig have his head in the sand?
Once she saw posts of him online acting single in the bars, she dropped the breakup news on her podcast. Paige said, “I tried everything in my power to not have a breakup where it was team me or team him, but he wasn’t going to let me go easy.”
Andy wanted to get to the bottom of the mysterious engagement ring. Was it real or not? Cut to Paige saying, “It doesn’t exist Lindsay, we’ll never see it!” Amanda immediately sussed out he wouldn’t have bought a ring without asking Paige’s dad first.
We then got a clip of Craig on Watch What Happens Live saying he returned the ring that day. Paige quipped, “How convenient … him and his new girlfriend went and returned my ring? I don’t think so, Andy; that’s insane.” Carl confirmed you can’t even return a ring. Mystery solved!
West apologized to Ciara again and again and again…
A big point of contention this summer was West’s relationship with Ciara. She was none too happy with how he handled their breakup in the press. West admitted, “I didn’t realize the damage that the article did … I probably was afraid to just say we were in different places.”
West understood why his behavior hurt her so much, and he apologized to Ciara. Again, and again, and again, until Paige grabbed his “talk” note and threw it on the ground.
We then got to see unaired footage of the dinner where Ciara read West for filth fresh from her stint on The Traitors. Jesse said that West had left the table for 20 minutes only to return and still say nothing to Ciara. Kyle added that not giving any reaction just made things worse, bro.
Jesse defended his friend and said West is a man of few words. Ciara countered, not when it came to talking with the media. Oop. Ciara said, “To be fair, I did feel bad for chewing him out … I can’t be, you know, a softer version of myself with him because I was still conflicted at that time.” And old feelings die hard, which is why she had mentioned wanting to make out with him.
Ciara then explained her breakup with West was challenging because of the issues she had with her family. She wasn’t talking with her dad and barely spoke with her mom. This made her extra cautious regarding who she dated. West said, “The way you talk about the love you want and the person you want … I just wasn’t there.” He still hoped for a friendship. But as ever, Ciara was cautious. She responded, “Time will tell.”
There’s more to Imrul than meets the eye
As the group dispersed for a quick break, Andy looked at his phone, shocked. Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump was blowing it up. Was there major goss to be had? Alas, she was just butt-dialing him. One could only imagine her on set explaining Jesse was only being “cheeky” with his toe sucking.
And speaking of #toegate, Imrul arrived. Andy gave a quick intro on him and Lexi, the newest cast members of the season. He asked Imrul if he felt he was pigeonholed into the nickname “orgy beast.” Imrul admitted he was more of an “orgy novice.”
Andy then asked if all the hookups affected him getting to know everyone. Imrul said, “In hindsight, yes. When it was happening, no. Because it seems like I was bringing back girls every single night … I think four times over the whole summer isn’t crazy.”
Carl chimed in, “He’s a cool customer. His game is the opposite of what I’d probably do.” Andy joked, “And his results are the opposite.” Ouch!
Even though we didn’t get to learn much about Imrul on the show, he did talk about being raised in a stricter family. Imrul mentioned his sister-in-law’s family had seen the show, and because of that, he wasn’t allowed at his nephew’s birthday party. The group felt crushed.
Imrul shared, “That was the first time it really hit home that I didn’t do a good job in connecting with people … It was a little uncomfortable, it was a little nerve-racking, and I kind of leaned into what I knew.” Lexi admitted they could have asked him more questions too. She stated, “Obviously there’s more to you than just the orgy beast.” So, does this mean Imrul will get a second season?
#toegate was a 37 minute joke
Jesse was dreading it, but it was now his turn in the hot seat. What really went down when Jesse walked into Imrul’s threesome and stayed for 37 minutes? Apparently it was all a big joke. He just hung out for 36 minutes and saved one minute for toe sucking. Lovely.
Lexi noted, “That’s so convenient. Jesse can say anything, and it’s just a joke.” Gabby agreed, “He’s just a boy.” Andy then segued over to Jesse and Ciara’s flirtations the weekend Lexi was out of town. Jesse did admit he crossed the line and should have taken Lexi’s feelings into account. Golf claps.
Still, Lexi was hurt that Amanda had said that Jesse and Ciara should date. Amanda explained, “It was in an alternate universe, but it was still unfair of me to do.” Paige mentioned they warned her not to date Jesse. Okay, but no one is saying that both Jesse and Ciara are in the wrong here.
Things escalated when Andy brought up Jesse telling Ciara not to touch him. Lexi shared she never said not to touch her and added that Jesse was trying to pit them against each other. However, Ciara was over that and dished on how Lexi had been coming for her in the press.
Lexi reasoned she was upset that Ciara and Jesse had hung out together instead of going to her birthday party. Ciara wondered why she would go when Lexi didn’t trust her? Then West went and hid under one of the blankets. Things were about to get messy…
Summer House continues Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo and streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SUMMER HOUSE SEASON 9, EPISODE 16? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IMRUL BACK NEXT SEASON?
