Southern Charm Season 11 is getting good! Last week, Salley held a singles party and had here eye on Craig. However, he also showed interest in new cast member Charley. But was Craig really the one Salley wants? Because she also told people she would hook up with Austen “the day after” he breaks up with Audrey. This sparked Audrey to bring up the problems in her and Austen’s relationship. So, what happened this week in Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 3: “A Novel Approach?”
What happened on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 3?
This week, Austen opens up to Madison about his relationship issues. He decides to commit … to getting cats. Austen’s FOMO watching his single friends enrages Craig, and things come to blows at Whitner’s birthday party. Meanwhile, we get to know Charley a bit more, and Craig flirts with both her and Salley. But on a sadder note, Miss Patricia prepares to lay her beloved dog Chauncey to rest. Here’s everything that went down on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 3, “A Novel Approach.”
The Southern Charm girls aren’t happy with Salley
The episode starts with Salley cleaning up after the wild singles party. But it’s not just a physical mess she has to deal with. Her actions at the party also annoyed her girlfriends. When Charley talks to her mom, she mentions how Salley acted over Craig. Charley didn’t see flirting with Craig as “going for him” and promised Salley she’d tell her if she would. Later on, Craig visits her at the art gallery where she works, and the two get very flirty.
When Venita goes over to Salley’s, she reveals that Molly isn’t happy with her either. At lunch with Venita, Molly complained that Salley told Madison about her getting drunk and crying at the baby shower. Molly also said that Salley can’t call dibs on every guy. And she was bothered by Salley’s comments about Austen, considering he’s still with Audrey. Salley is shocked to hear this, because Molly’s still acting like her best friend.
Venita also has issues with Salley. She tells her BFF that she feels Salley picks Craig over her. Salley promises that will never happen.
Austen isn’t sure Audrey’s The One
Austen meets with Madison to discuss his relationship over crab legs. Madison can’t help but make a joke about him having crabs.
She doesn’t regret telling Audrey about Salley’s crush on Austen. Because it seemed to inspire Audrey and Austen to get real about their relationship problems. Audrey, for instance, is annoyed that she always goes to Charleston instead of him coming to Charlotte.
Austen tells Madison that when Audrey’s in town, things are “easy.” But when she leaves, he wonders, “Is this like … forever?” From his tone of voice, he wouldn’t be bothered if it was. Austen thinks he’s supposed to feel differently about the person he wants to spend forever with, and Madison agrees.
In a confessional, Austen admits that, at almost 38, he’s not sure he will settle down and get married. After all, how do you choose one person? How can you be so sure they’re the one?
After the conversation with Madison, Austen decides to take a big step … of becoming a cat dad. He knows commitment and him don’t go hand in hand, but he wants to commit to raising two kittens. Craig says this further spells out the end of his relationship with Audrey. After all, Craig’s last three girlfriends all got new cats just before breaking up with him! But Craig knows all about being a cat dad to Gizmo, so he offers to help Austen.
Shep and Madison are moving on up
This week, both Shep and Madison reveal they’re moving into big new houses. In Shep’s case, he bought the house partially because his siblings are settling down with their families, so he wanted to show his parents something. He brings Rodrigo on as his decorator, and they look through Shep’s parents storage unit for furniture and decor. Rodrigo is obsessed with all the antique and designer items. He also decides they should take a painting of a young Shep playing golf.
Along the way, Shep admits that he might be too old for the 27-year-old Charley, though he also argues he’s maturing very slowly. That doesn’t make you younger, Shep! Rodrigo jokes that Shep’s parents probably hoped he’d have a wife and kids by the time he moved into a big house, instead of bringing along a gay designer friend.
Madison, the only member of the group who has actually settled down, is moving into a big new house. When she was younger, she thought the only way she’d be able to live in a house like that would be to marry a rich old man. The price tag is hefty, but Madison is sure it’s worth it, though she jokes with Brett about becoming a “kitchen beautician” and selling their sex tapes to afford it. Especially since she wants six kids to fill the bedrooms. But on a serious note, Brett mentions how proud Madison’s dad would be, making her tear up.
Austen has FOMO watching Craig be single
After Austen and Craig go shopping for the kittens, they catch up over coffee. Both are trying to figure out their costumes for Whitner’s birthday party, where everyone has to dress as a literary figure. Craig asks ChatGPT, which suggests Dorian Gray (“is that the guy from 50 Shades of Grey?” he asks). Austen jokes that Craig has PTSD from all those costume parties on Summer House.
Craig admits he’s enjoying being able to kiss whoever he wants, guilt free. He mentions Salley staying in his hot tub and flirting with Charley. But when Austen asks which one he would kiss, Craig doesn’t answer. That’s when Austen admits, as Shep and Rodrigo already guessed, that he has FOMO. Craig is shocked and enraged by this. After all, he didn’t want to be single! He hates it! He calls Austen’s “half in, half out” attitude “bullshit.”
Whitner’s birthday party is one for the books
Whitner has Venita come over to help decorate for his birthday party. He reveals that elaborate costume parties are a family tradition- and make great family photos. Venita actually knows his mom, who “would be an anarchist if she could.”
While Venita puts out some china plates, Whitner reveals he last used them for an anniversary with his ex. Apparently, she walked out shortly after they got engaged, and wouldn’t listen to Whitner’s suggestions to fix their relationship.
At the party, Whitner dresses as Ernest Hemingway, Venita as Medusa, and Molly as Gandalf. Shep dresses as a Lonesome Dove character with surprising similarities to himself. Salley is Kissing Kate Barlow from Holes, which Shep never heard of (or did he just want Salley to say “holes” a bunch of times?). Madison wins best dressed by going as Shep. She really commits to the costume by giving Whitner a shark tooth necklace as a gift.
As they get ready for the party, Austen jokes that he won’t get the girls because he’s dressing as Hermione. Craig, who goes as Rufio from Hook, is aghast, reminding Austen in a confessional that he won’t be getting the girls because he has a GIRLFRIEND!
Craig and Austen have an explosive fight
There’s tension between the girls at the party. Craig and Salley flirt, with him asking “Can I play with your gun?” and her responding, “I might use it on you later.” Despite Venita being right there when this exchange happened, Salley gushingly recounts it to her five seconds later. Venita is quite annoyed by her bestie swooning over the man she’s feuding with.
There’s also noticeable tension when Salley says hi to Molly. Salley says that she can’t fake being nice. But, as per usual, the girls have nothing on the guys when it comes to catty behavior.
Once Charley shows up (as Daisy Buchanan) Austen makes snide comments about Craig’s flirting. When Craig suggests shots, Austen makes a comment about his drinking. Rodrigo clocks that Austen is making these digs because he has FOMO. After Austen makes a joke about Salley being in Craig’s hot tub, Craig fires back.
He accuses Austen of being jealous that he’s single. Austen denies saying that, but it was sort of implied. Craig rants that he’s having fun, late nights at his house (Salley interjects a “whoo!”) and being himself, and that Austen is bitter, dishonest, and “living a lie” with his relationship. They each accuse the other one of being unhappy. Craig storms off, as Austen calls him a “dick” and Craig says he’s a “f*cking loser.” And we end on a to be continued …
Southern Charm airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo. The show streams on Hayu in Canada, the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SOUTHERN CHARM SEASON 11 EPISODE 3? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON, AUSTEN’S OR CRAIG’S?
