In this episode, Carrie has been living with Tony & Amanda for about one week. Nina is fully moved into the penthouse, and Carrie’s attitude problem persists. Can Amanda and Tony snap Carrie out of her mood swing? If you haven’t watched Episode 16, please stop whatever it is that you’re doing and watch the video below. Then, join us for the spoilers.

WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

We start Episode 16 at Amanda and Tony’s. Carrie is just hanging around the living room about to watch her favorite show Trauma Central. Tony comes in and sits down beside her to have a heart to heart with the teenager. When he sees her in a sad mood, he sees that Carrie is missing her cow. That’s when Tony offers to take Carrie into Henford-on-Bagley on Saturday to visit her cow. Carrie is super excited but then says, “Okay, but as long as Nina doesn’t go.”

Tony, trying to be responsible, tells her: “What did we tell you about that?“

It’s then Carrie gets to vent telling him that the reason why she’s mad at her mother is because she “let” them make that “stupid ass holiday special.” In school, Carrie has been relentlessly teased and bullied over it. The kids in school, some of which she once thought were her friends, became jealous and envious over Carrie’s celebrity status because of the book. Because the song to the movie, is absolutely horrendous, she is teased even more! See lyrics down below, which I asked Co-Pilot to come up with, and I was surprised at how fast it did!

In Episode 15, courtesy of AI once again, I was able to create a horrific version of the song and played it while Nina was talking about it. Her description from Episode 15 says that the song was like “cats yowling in the middle of the night!“

None of this helps Carrie though who grows to despise the movie, which became a huge hit and Starlite Accolade award winner, and she grows to despise the book. She even took the book and threw it in the garbage pail (bin!)

Spoiler alert, Nina did rescue the book from the garbage pin and is keeping it safe until Carrie wants it back (if she ever wants it back.)

Tony sees how upset and angry Carrie is from the teasing and reminds her that her mother didn’t know all of this would happen from writing that book. He reinforces that the reason why she wrote that book was because she loved her.

Carrie immediately gets defensive saying, “Why are you defending her? She’s not your friend! You should hear some of the things that she’s said about you!”

Tony’s reaction is quite the opposite. Instead of being angry and annoyed, he chuckles as he tells her about the first time, he ever met Nina -at her mother’s apartment. He tells her that she called him a “fanboy” and how starstruck he was to see the writer of his favorite movie! Not only that, but he was also floored to find out that his then girlfriend’s ex-wife was none other than the Nina Gãrbãn!

Carrie laughs at the story and can’t believe it, but then Tony says that as he got to know her, he saw that she wasn’t so bad, and that she loved Carrie very much. He reminds her that sometimes adults don’t have all of the answers and can inadvertently hurt someone without knowing.

When Carrie realizes that all of this could in fact be an accident, and how much Nina has tried to make up for Carrie’s hurt and pain – she feels terrible. It’s then she says to Tony, “Can I ask you something?”

He tells her, “You know you can.”

“Can I call you Dad?” She asks.

This moment is probably one of the most pivotal out of the entire story. For Carrie she truly sees Tony as her father. She still loves and respects both of her mothers, but to her Tony is truly a third parent that she admires and respects too. Tony is very touched and tells her that he would be very happy to be her dad because to him, she is every bit his daughter. Carrie is delighted to learn that she now has a dad.

So, it’s then Tony says, “And as your dad, it falls to me to tell you when I think you’re doing something right and when you’re doing something wrong. So, tell me, why did you start failing in school?“

Carrie comes clean and tells him the truth. She explains how she purposely started failing to get expelled so she could escape the tormenting of her fellow students. She also says she did it so that Nina….oops Mom, wouldn’t want to live with her any longer. I confess I ad-libbed this scene. I thought it would be interesting for Carrie to correct herself every time she called her mother “Nina.”

Carrie confesses she wanted to live in San Sequoia to be closer to her cousins, and away from the paparazzi. She also says that she wanted to hurt her mother just as much as she’s been hurt so she’d know what it was like. She also says that she hated that her supposed friends turned on her. Carrie says she purposely tried to get herself expelled from school by dropping her grade point average to almost failing. She also purposely fought and cursed at the kids in an attempt for expulsion that way. She confesses to hating gaining weight and did feel bad for being mean to her mom.

Tony tells her it wasn’t a good idea for her to do that, and he was glad that she did not get expelled. He also tells her that now she’ll be in a new school with new friends, and her best buddies are nearby.

Tony also reminds her that he knows how smart she is and tells her that it’s important to do well in school. He tells her that if she does her best that things will open up for her like she would never believe. He tells her that school can take her to places she’s dreamt of going. He also asks her if she has a dream of what she wants to be.

Carrie tells him she wants to be a veterinarian like her mother, but that she wants to specialize in treating horses. Tony says to her that if she does well in the next quarter that he would take her out to Chestnut Ridge where she could ride horses and learn all about them. Carrie is ecstatic! He reminds her that she needs to put in the work. And he also says sternly that she will stop calling her mother Nina. That’s the last he wants to hear of it, okay?

I promise, Carrie tells him, and I’ll stop cursing too. Tony says to her, “Don’t worry about that one too much. I let a few goes from time to time. And your mom? I haven’t even gotten started on that topic!” As we know from previous episodes, Amanda has quite the potty mouth and can weave a tapestry of forbidden words. We also know Nina has been known to let go of a few zingers from time to time, particularly when dealing with her literary agent and friend Rachel who we get to see her interact with more in Episode 18.

Carrie laughs and tells her dad that she promises that she will do better. As Tony gives her a kiss good night and heads off upstairs to bed, he finds Amanda on the bed watching TV.

He tells her of the good news that Carrie called him Dad and that they had a great conversation. Amanda reminds him that Nina is going to love that in a sarcastic manner. That’s when Tony says that he thinks Nina is lonely, and in need of friendship. Amanda is surprised to hear this. This is Nina they’re talking about here! The woman spits venom every time that she’s near her!

Tony then says to her, “You two have been nice to one another lately. I would even call it civil. You don’t fight as much as you used to.”

Amanda states, “She’s backing off because I’m pregnant. She’s got a whole case of vitriol ready to unleash on me once the baby is born.”

Tony then reminds her that Nina sent a birthday card to Amanda and Amanda says, “yeah but it only said Happy Birthday on it.” He also says that he’s noticed how uncomfortable and sad she looks at family gatherings because she doesn’t have anyone in her life. He proposes to extend an olive branch to Nina and try and become a genuine friend to her.

Tony says that one of the reasons why is when the baby is born, Carrie will be talking up a storm about it, and it will make her feel even more bitter, jaded and isolated then she does now. By extending friendship to Nina, it will help Carrie see that all of her parents can be friends and exist peacefully, and Nina can be involved in their lives too.

When Amanda asks the main reason, he tells her that he never forgave his brother, and carrying all of that bitterness around can make someone a cold person. He says that one day he will forgive his brother, but he can’t right now; so, he asks her to learn how to forgive Nina and become her friend again.

Amanda is touched beyond belief at her husband’s kindness and says that she will agree. He says he wants her and their children to see him be the best Dad he can possible be, but more so, the best man he can be. Now that Tony is a father, he wants to really be a great Dad, a great husband and most of all a great man for everyone.

Amanda herself has become a better woman for being with Tony. Their home is reflective of the type of place that feels warm and hospitable when you walk in the door. I wanted to design their home as the kind of place where everyone is welcome, and it feels so much like your own home.

Now with a new baby on the way, they are about to welcome a second daughter into their lives. As they sit in their bedroom, they discuss how much better would their lives be if Carrie knew that her mother was welcome too. At first, Amanda is skeptical over a truce with Nina. After all, Nina threw her out, divorced her, and hurt her deeply. And Amanda, as we know, wounded Nina to the point where Nina developed a Fear of Relationships and has major trust issues. And now, her husband, wants her to have a truce with someone who spits venom every time she’s near her?

Tony explains that it’s harder to forgive, and easier to forget. He knows that the hurt and pain is still deep within Amanda

Soon, all the babies come into the world. Lea’s twins arrive first, followed by Robby and Cristina’s son Bobby, then Jayda and Kent’s son Zachary, and now little Zoe Carmella is here.

The family holds a large welcoming party for Zoe when she comes home. Everyone is invited. When Nina drops Carrie off to go back home, she’s about to leave when Tony says “Hey, where ya going?”

Nina responds, “It’s okay, Tony. Family’s th2ere. I got stuff to do.”

Tony says to her, “You’re family, Nina. Come in and join the party.”

Nina is taken back by the invitation by responding, “What?”

Tony tells her all about the delicious food and that he’ll prepare his signature cocktail for her. She’ll love it. Nina is suspicious of why he’s being so kind to her. She hadn’t been nice to him at all. In fact, she’s been pretty rude to him. Why would he be so nice to her?

Tony explains that because her and Amanda have Carrie, and he loves both of them – he believes it’s time that they should try to be friends for Carrie’s sake. He tells her that he knows the history that the two of them have but maybe now is the time to forgive. He doesn’t want her to feel like an outsider any longer, and he wants her to see his baby daughter. He also invites her driver to come in and join the party.

Nina smiles and accepts his offer. She is welcomed open arms by her family who are happy to see her there. Tony makes her a signature cocktail. Amanda comes down the stairs after having tended to baby Zoe, and upon seeing Nina in her home enjoying herself, she walks over to her, and for the first time in years – they hug one another as Amanda offers to introduce her to her baby daughter.

For those that would say that’s too unrealistic, I offer this. This part of the story was inspired by a friend of mine that I used to work with many years ago. She divorced and was re-married about two years later. After being married for three years, she saw her ex-husband fall on hard times when he lost his home after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. A hard reality of illness in the United States is that it can also spell bankruptcy for many, and I believe that this needs to change. Tending to your health should not kill your bank account or retirement even with insurance!

In an extraordinary act of kindness, my friends offered her ex a room in their home. This allowed her ex to spend his last days with his children and it allowed him to die with dignity. And during that time, my friend’s husband became a good friend to her ex and treated him with kindness and respect. They even set up a Go Fund Me account when he passed to pay for his funeral and expenses since he died without a life insurance policy. Everyone, including myself, responded by donating what they could.

In a way, Tony is doing the same for Nina by offering her friendship. Although Nina is far from the situation I described, her mental and emotional health is in peril. He sees that she is lonely and feels like an outsider in her family. He tells Amanda that harboring anger and bitterness could make her a cold person, and he fears that is the road she’s on now. Tony knows this from experience.

Spoiler for later: Tony, after he discovered what happened with his fiancé and brother, embarked on a single solitary lifestyle. He was callous when it came to dating, never allowing someone to get close. He would go down to Selvordorada once a year to get a quick date and then return home, living his life as a loner and a bachelor. In his heart, he was harboring deep resentment and anger towards his brother and family. It made him a cold, callous man.

When he met Amanda, his intention was a nice distraction for when he was vacationing, but he ended up falling in love. Now, as someone who has become a devoted husband and father, he wants his family to see him be the best version of himself he can be. One of the most important lessons he wants to pass on is about forgiving and letting go of the past. At some point, Tony does want to forgive his brother, but he cannot bring himself to do it just yet. Will he? We’re going to need to wait and see.

Even though Nina has become very successful as a writer and has tons of accolades, riches and awards to her name, she is by herself except for Alexa and Carrie. Tony’s offer of friendship to her is the first step in healing her damaged and shattered relationship with Amanda and allowing her to feel like she is a member of the family, and that she’s not alone. Tony reminds her that she is Carrie’s mother and part of the family so come in and join the party.

When Amanda comes down from the upstairs, after having tended to baby Zoe, she sees Nina sitting at the bar enjoying a drink. As she comes over to her, she smiles at her. Then, for the first time in years, the two hug one another in a gesture of friendship and Amanda welcomes her to her home and offers to introduce her to her baby daughter.

Can the two become close friends once more? It is a possibility. The episode ends with Carrie asking, “Are they friends now, Dad?”

Tony responds with, “Maybe.” And as Nina looks over at him, he smiles and winks at her.

In Episode 17, we do a bit of a time jump, as we see Nina and Carrie having dinner together at the penthouse. It’s a short episode but a cute episode. I hope you will enjoy it. It also shows a little bit of what transpired after Episode 16 and how it reflects the events since then.

As we gear up for Episode 18, 19 and 20 – get ready for some really interesting twists to the story. including a new relationship for one of the characters.

Lyrics to Carrie’s Cow from Carrie’s Cow Saves Christmas

“`courtesy of MS Co-Pilot. I did not come up with this 😂

🎄 Carrie’s Cow Saves Christmas 🎄

(Verse 1)

In a snowy barn one night,

Carrie’s cow took flight,

With a moo and a leap,

She soared through the night.

(Chorus)

Oh, Carrie’s cow, Carrie’s cow,

Flying high, don’t ask me how,

She pulled Santa’s sleigh,

Through the Milky Way,

Carrie’s cow, oh wow!

(Verse 2)

Down chimneys she’d dive,

With grace and a jive,

Delivering gifts galore,

From the North Pole to the shore.

(Chorus)

Oh, Carrie’s cow, Carrie’s cow,

Flying high, don’t ask me how,

She pulled Santa’s sleigh,

Through the Milky Way,

Carrie’s cow, oh wow!

(Bridge)

The elves were amazed,

As she grazed on stardust,

Carrie cheered from the sleigh,

“Best Christmas ever, I trust!”

(Chorus)

Oh, Carrie’s cow, Carrie’s cow,

Flying high, don’t ask me how,

She pulled Santa’s sleigh,

Through the Milky Way,

Carrie’s cow, oh wow!

(Outro)

And so the legend goes,

Of Carrie’s cow who knows,

That Christmas magic’s real,

When you’ve got hooves of steel!

🎄🐄🎅🌟

Feel free to sing this at your next holiday gathering! 🎶😄

Update 7/6/24 – I received an email letting me know of the grammar mistakes the blog. Thank you for telling me. I’ve corrected the errors and added some new context too.