We’re back and coming down to the wire on our Southern Hospitality Season 4 recaps! This week, things are coming to a head. Michols hosts a big party with a powerhouse all-female DJ performance, the parents make an appearance, and hurt feelings are shared. Here’s everything that happened in the penultimate Southern Hospitality Season 4, Episode 12: “Big Gay Explosion!”
What went down on Southern Hospitality Season 4 Episode 12?
A quick recap explained that Grace and Maddi are still on the outs, and Emmy dropped the Michols bombshell on Molly. It looks like the setup for some more drama. In this episode, everyone’s back to Republic and getting ready for the white party.
It’s the biggest party of the year and signals the end of summer. The crew is decked out in their all-white and light ice blue. It’s an iconic event at the bar, and while some may not know what it’s for (hello, TJ), everyone is ready to party.
All girls power set with DJ Meredith Marks and DJ Maddi
Michols shares he got his So.Gay photos back from the shoot. He’s going to have a big launch party at Republic to reveal the cover. It’s going to be a big gays and girls party that the straights can come to.
Plus, Michols got DJ Maddi to work the event with the iconic DJ Meredith Marks! The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is set to crossover to Charleston, and Maddi can’t wait. She’s very excited to work with Meredith. The DJ industry is very male-dominated, and Maddi is looking forward to some female empowerment!
Michols is very excited but a little apprehensive since his mom is coming. They are still a bit tenuous, and he’s not entirely sure that larger-than-life naked photos of him are the best for her right now.
The Molly and Michols of it all, plus a face from Mia’s past
Mia goes to visit TJ and chat over lettuce burgers. She went to the white party with a very special guest, her ex-boyfriend Troy. Mia clarifies that nothing bad happened between them. They are just not geographically desirable.
They are just physical at the moment until their living conditions change. Mia mentioned that he did give her $8,000 for her things that were stolen when the package was taken from his porch. He also mentioned looking at rings. Maybe Troy has something more than fun on his mind.
Mia and TJ are looking forward to Michols’ party. Mia asks TJ if Molly is going to bring up that Michols fired her. They think he needs to come clean before she confronts him. At the very least, they agree Michols should not have told Emmy about it.
Michols and his Mama have lunch
While this is all going down, Michols is having lunch with his mom. She’s a lovely, albeit no-nonsense, lady. She clocked him right away and said he could have pulled out her chair. Yes, mama! Teach that good behavior!
They talk about his trip to Punta Cana. They also talk about his job in the nightlife industry. His mom isn’t particularly happy about his chosen field, but Michols has worked hard and hopes she can be proud of what he’s achieved so far.
He shares that he was upset she didn’t answer the phone when he called at the shoot. She told him she was at the doctor’s. He didn’t know that, though at the time. She didn’t mean any harm by it.
She reveals she’s always known he was gay and said she loves him no matter what and is proud of him. But Michols says that he feels like she was hiding him. She says he could have reached out too, but he felt too ashamed and scared.
Michols’ mom has compassion for him, but still acts like his mom. She tells him he needs to grow up and stop crying, or she’ll leave. He keeps it together, and she admits she was hurt by the things he said about her during the show last season.
They agree to try to communicate better.
Joey Bottles is stepping up!
Michols isn’t the only one getting advice from mom. Joe is feeling on fire, and he is in 100% Joey Bottles mode. He is feeling inspired after his successful Emo Night event and wants to work on a business proposal for the Bonapartes in the hopes they might take a risk with him.
He’s still haunted by Leva saying he is replaceable and wants to take initiative. He calls his mom and talks to her about his ideas for a business.
He wants a music space, but also wants to make it available for weddings and events. His mom says he’s on the right track, but to try not to do too much at once. She tells him to leave room to grow, but start with a clear focus.
Joe admits that a lot of people have approached him and want to partner with him, but for now, his loyalty is to Leva.
It’s the So.Gay party at Republic!
It’s time for the So.Gay cover launch party, and it’s in full swing. Maddi is spinning. TJ jokes that it’s the gayest event he’s ever seen. Michols shares that his mom is not coming, but he thinks it’s for the best. They’ve made so much progress, but he thinks the big gay explosion might be too much for her. Baby steps.
Emmy arrives. She thinks she’s a loyal friend and can get past her issues with Michols to support him. It’s still pretty awkward, though. Michols just doesn’t think she’s genuine.
Grace also comes, but it’s still awkward with Maddi. Maddi just can’t be what Grace needs right now. She feels Grace isn’t being honest with herself about her journey, and she still has work to do. Meanwhile, Grace feels like Maddi isn’t supporting her.
Molly arrives and says she can support a “former friend.” Mia tells Molly she is owed an explanation from Michols, and Emmy should be part of that conversation since she’s the one who blabbed. Molly agrees but won’t do it at Michols’ party.
Michols presents the official cover! He is more comfortable now as himself, and everyone cheers. Then Maddi introduces DJ Meredith, and she takes it to the next level. Maddi is so proud and thinks it’s a huge accomplishment for girl DJs all over.
Lake talks to her dad, and Maddi visits her mom
The next day, the parents are present again. Lake talks to her dad. They went for three months without talking, but they are working on improving their relationship.
Lake invites him to come out for an art show that Leva has asked her to do. She has kept so much from her dad, so she really wants to share this with him. The art she’s showcasing will really represent her. He promises to do his best to come.
Meanwhile, Maddi visits her mom. They talk about freezing her eggs and her blood test results. Maddi doesn’t want to know the results yet as she feels she can’t handle any more negativity this year.
Maddi has so much trauma from her autoimmune diseases, she’s just not in the right headspace for it. Her mom reminds her, though, that knowledge is power and she’ll support her all the way. No matter what happens.
TJ sells some weiners, Molly dishes on Michols, and Michols gets an email
TJ is enjoying a sports afternoon with wieners, wiener towers, and friends. Joe shares TJ’s big news. TJ’s going on a date with Joe’s handsome friend, who just came out of the closet.
Molly tells Brad about Emmy telling her about Michols. She feels that Michols will step on your neck if it gets him higher. Molly explains she can’t move forward in their friendship if Michols doesn’t take accountability.
She also says karma will come around because karma is only a bitch if you are. And in a stroke of editing foreshadowing, Michols receives an email at the same time. The email says they are transitioning him out of the role of Assistant General Manager.”
Is MIchols getting demoted? We’ll find out next week!
Southern Hospitality airs Wednesday nights at 9/8c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK MOLLY SHOULD DO ABOUT MICHOLS? DO YOU THINK EVERYONE CAN MAKE UP BEFORE THE END?
