Don wants more from Ashley.
Draya and Prince head to New York so Draya can meet her biological father and other family members. She’s really nervous about how things will turn out. But it’s still an exciting chapter for her. Thankfully, Prince is there for emotional support and good laughs.
Don vents to Phor about Ashley. Lately, he’s been wishing she would “recharge” him. And what he means by recharge is he wishes Ashley would uplift him with her words. He doesn’t feel like she acknowledges how hard he works to support her and their family. It would be nice to hear her praise him sometimes. But he’s happy that Ashley agreed to attend one of his therapy sessions. His therapist has helped him tremendously.
Phor is still sad about Nina and his son moving to Atlanta. But he’s excited about moving to Dallas full-time. Don is proud of Phor for being mature about Nina’s right to move and start a new life.
Draya is disappointed.
Unfortunately, Draya’s New York trip starts off on a sour note. After she and Prince make it to a restaurant to meet up with some family she’s never met before, her sister Anastasia is the only one who shows up. And Anastasia breaks down in tears as she explains that they took issue with being filmed. This annoys Draya because she told them she could meet them privately if the cameras were an issue.
Draya’s spirits are lifted after she and Prince tattoo a client together at Black Ink.
Don and Ashley have a rough therapy session.
Ashley and Don attend their joint therapy session with Don’s therapist. For Ashley, her biggest issue is Don makes her feel like she’s number two in his life. Don is worried they won’t be able to find a middle ground and they’ll be forced to go their separate ways instead of growing together.
The therapist and Ashley tell Don may be pondering a separation based on his own words. Ashley just feels like Don is distant and he’s been pushing her away lately.
Don says he is neglected by Ashley. In his opinion, she’s more focused on the kids than him. While he believes she’s a great mother, she’s not a good wife. Well, this sets Ashley off. She says Don isn’t perfect but she would never say he’s not a good husband. This is hurtful to hear. And if Don would have said this to her years ago, they would have divorced.
The therapist is able to get Ashley and Don to stop yelling and arguing with each other. She tells them that if they are only honest with their feelings while they are arguing, they don’t know each other. After the blowup, both admit they still love each other. And they do want to stay married.
Prince has dreams.
Ryan is still having staff issues at 9 Mag. He tells Miss Kitty that his artists either come in late or don’t show up at all. And it’s forced him to pay the bills on his own. He’s fed up. And changes will have to be made.
Prince, his brother, and Spyder go to Puma’s tattoo shop, Art 2 Ink. It’s a dream of Prince’s to open a tattoo shop with his brother since they are both artists. He just wants to have a shop that isn’t connected to the Black Ink brand. Puma tells him he can do this. And he believes it won’t cause issues with Ryan.
The New York trip isn’t a success for Draya.
Draya finally meets her father. When it comes to other family members not showing up to meet her, her father claims the family is a mess. And they don’t like him very much anyway. He tells her he couldn’t find her after he was released from jail. But Draya isn’t buying this because he located his other children without an issue. Even though he apologizes, Draya believes he isn’t really holding himself accountable for not reaching out to her years ago. So she’s not ready to have him be a part of her life just yet. Maybe that will change in two years.
What are your thoughts on the episode?
😳 😳 😳 #BlackInkCHI pic.twitter.com/r8um3QBf7Y
— Black Ink Crew (@BlackInkCrew) October 5, 2022
"You could have FOUND me." 😔
In an emotional sit down, Draya meets her father for the first time and asks for am explanation. #BlackInkCHI. pic.twitter.com/fsRUi4TJIf
— Black Ink Crew (@BlackInkCrew) October 5, 2022
Personally, I think Draya shoulda left finding her Father alone.
Don & Ashley shoulda never got married. Ashley hasn’t totally forgiven Don for his transgressions. Don doesn’t feel supported by her.
Honestly,they’re a fake family. Their truths were revealed in therapy.
Now someone needs to make a conscious decision to fight for the marriage or flight from it but leave the children out of it.
I agree with Don and Ashley. I think she was happy that he finally “chose” her. I think she just wanted to show Charmaine she won. He doesn’t need to be married to anyone. He wants a woman who is a fan not a wife. Ashley needs to move on.
Men like Don are interesting. He was a serial cheater. I think he even cheated the day before their wedding. And he eventually had a baby on her. Ashley stayed and even loves on the outside child, but Don is sitting up here now saying she’s not a good wife because she gives their small children more attention. And he acts like he’s ready to separate. Oftentimes men will not show the same amount of patience and loyalty women do. That’s why I don’t like the ride or die concept. It’s not reciprocated by men.
Well said Shannon. I think it’s really terrible for him to sit on TV and say she’s not a good wife after everything he has put her through. She stayed and he’s giving her his two butt cheeks to kiss anyway. And that’s how it usually goes. He could at least have more patience with her like she had with him all those years. I didn’t like this scene. Don experiences some growth and now he’s looking down on Ashley like he wasn’t a mess for a very long time.