Parents Weekend

**Parents Weekend** is the sixth episode of the first season and the sixth overall episode of *The Sex Lives of College Girls*.

## Short Summary

After reuniting with their families for the first time since move-in day, the girls struggle through an uncomfortable dinner, where parents clash, egos are bruised, and secrets are revealed.

## Full Summary

Bela asks if Jocelyn could tag her in one of her videos so she can get more followers. Jocelyn says she'll do it for $50. When Whitney walks in, Bela comments that she looks bad. Frude starts the dorm meeting by telling them it's parents' weekend. His juggling group will be performing at the brunch. Jocelyn says she'd love to do a TikTok with Whitney's mom. Whitney says she knows her mom is exciting, but her dad is also coming. He's a musician, but Leighton can't find him online. Whitney says he's a well-respected bassist in the Bay Area. It could be cooler if her mom weren't a senator. Bela says before their parents arrive, she wants them all to share the lies they've told and want the others to corroborate. She starts by saying her parents think she's a neuroscience major. Leighton told her dad that all their textbooks come from Net-a-Porter to explain the charges. Kimberly's parents think she goes to church every weekend and has a good relationship with her priest. Whitney told her mom she joined the Young Republicans just to annoy her. Travis says his parents can't know he's gay. Jocelyn starts listing hers and Frude leaves the room so he doesn't have to hear them.

At Katherine Johnson House, Evette schmoozes the brunch guests. Whitney thinks her mom is being fake, but Kimberly finds her inspiring. Whitney asks if Kimberly is wearing an African dress. Kimberly says it's tribal-themed. She wanted to show respect after being invited to the Black Affinity house. Kimberly asks how fancy the restaurant Leighton chose is. The websites are conflicted. Whitney doesn't know. Evette comes over to the girls and Kimberly immediately starts to praise her until Whitney interrupts and sends Kimberly to get a scone. Whitney says she has something personal she needs to talk to her mom about it. Evette tries to schedule it for Sunday afternoon to accommodate her busy schedule, so Whitney says not to worry about it and she'll just see her mom at the restaurant. Evette thanks her for being flexible.

Henry Murray looks at the picture his family just took and says they need to throw the leaves much higher. Leighton wants to stop. She, Henry, Nico, and Mimi are all wearing Essex sweatshirts. The picture is important to Henry, who has dreamed of them being an Essex family since Leighton was a baby. He wants it to be perfect. Nico asks about the student loan protest behind them. Henry says they're lucky even to have student loans. They pull out the fake leaves Henry has purchased and prepare to take another shot. Leighton sees Alicia watching from nearby and smiles. They take another picture and Henry gleefully says it's the one.

Bela leads Reena and Nevaan into what she says is her favorite class: biochemistry and biophysics. They sit down and Professor Harpin starts class by welcoming the parents.

As Nico, Mimi, Henry, and Leighton enter the restaurant, Leighton warns Henry not to be a jerk to Evette. Mimi's not pleased that this is the nicest restaurant near campus. Nico says it's good and Mimi talks about how good Nico looks. Leighton comments that it's weird that Mimi acts like she wants to have sex with Nico.

Whitney joins her mother outside the restaurant. Evette critiques Whitney's outfit. She says Whitney's dad hasn't arrived yet and she can wait outside if she wants to. Evette decides to go in.

Kimberly and Carol arrive and realize they've overdressed. Evette says they look nice. She told her security not to interrupt unless the president is dead. Carol hands out purse hooks that she brought as gifts for the girls. Henry says it's lovely to meet Evette and asks if she flew private or first-class on the taxpayers' dollar. She says she has to fly private because of the death threats. He must know what it's like to have people want him dead. The girls quietly text each other about getting the dinner over with quickly.

Kimberly and Carol are shocked at the prices when they check the menu. When Kimberly comments on it, Leighton asks if the place is okay. Carol says it's lovely. As they talk about ordering, Whitney says she'd like to wait for her dad. She's sure he'll be there soon. Henry says it's a delight to see them all again, so he'll be treating them all tonight. Nevaan says they should split it. Kimberly tells him just to let Henry pay, which causes a bit of a scene. Evette had to insist on splitting it because any gift over $50 that she receives could be considered a bribe. Leighton sees that Kimberly looks stressed, but Kimberly says she's fine. She excuses herself from the table.

Leighton finds Kimberly in the bathroom. She tells Kimberly to take her credit card for her share of the dinner. She's clearly stressed about the cost and Leighton feels terrible. Kimberly asked why she chose such an expensive restaurant. Leighton tells her to take the card. Her parents won't even notice it on the statement. Kimberly takes the card and thanks her.

Back at the table, Henry says they need to order. Mimi's blood sugar is spiking. Nico tells her to have some bread. The girls quietly text about how Mimi seems to want to have sex with her son. Mimi asks the girls who has a boyfriend. Whitney says she's too busy with soccer to have a boyfriend. She excuses herself from the table when her phone rings. Reena says Bela's never been too distracted by boys, making Leighton and Kimberly laugh. They start to protest until Bela glares at them. Mimi asks if Kimberly is dating anyone. Kimberly says no, but Mimi and Carol both think she's lying.

Whitney asks her dad if he's at the train station and offers to come pick him up. He tells her something came up and he's not going to make it. She's upset, but he says he just wants to make something of himself. He tells her to have fun.

In the bathroom, Mimi tells Leighton that Kimberly and Carol are so sweet. She throws the purse hook Carol gave her in the trash. Leighton knows that Mimi hates her roommates, but wants to move on. Mimi says they're not as sophisticated as her friends from back home. When Leighton calls her out on that, Mimi says Leighton thinks she's so much better, but they're exactly the same.

When they get back to the table, Leighton makes a show of putting the purse hook on the table and using it to hold up her purse. She's surprised it actually works. Carols says it can hold up to 45 pounds. Evette asks everyone what they're majoring in. She was a double major in African American studies and women's studies at Stanford. Henry laughs and picks fun at her majors. Bela says she's majoring in neuroscience. Nevaan notices Professor Harpin is eating nearby and tells Bela to go say hi to him. Bela doesn't want to bother him, but Reena pushes it.

Bela tells Harpin his lecture for the day was great. Harpin is confused. Nevaan joins them and seconds that his lecture was great. He introduces himself and offers Harpin a gold Subway card. Harpin says he prides himself on knowing all his students and knows she isn't one of them.

Back at the table, Mimi asks Nico how French is going and he says it's going well in French. Carol says Kimberly is taking French, too. She wants to hear them talk in French. They talk about how difficult the dinner has been. Their food is served and the server asks who ordered the rack of lamb. Whitney has him put it next to her, in front of her father's empty chair. She tells the others he won't be joining them. She says it was a work emergency, but Henry quietly questions that to his wife. Evette sees this and tells them she doesn't like her ex-husband, but it's not okay for them to make her daughter feel bad over this. She tells hem to wait until they get to the hotel before they do things like that. Henry apologizes to Whitney. Nico texts Leighton her shock at their dad apologizing. Nevaan and Bela return to the table and ask to borrow Reena for a family conversation.

Reena is upset that Bela lied to them. Bela explains that she's not taking biochem because she knows that's not what she want to do with her life. She wants to be a comedy writer and she's making progress on that. Nevaan says her school is expensive and they're paying for her to study and learn, not play around. He goes back inside.

When the bill arrives, they pass it around and add their cards. Kimberly quietly removes her mom's card and puts Leighton in its place.

The server returns the bill and hands it to Henry. Before Kimberly can grab it, Henry opens it to return the cards and is shocked to see Leighton's in there. Leighton tries to make up an excuse for why she paid for Carol and Kimberly, but Kimberly admits that she asked Leighton to do it because the restaurant was so expensive. Carol is embarrassed and pulls out her wallet to pay Leighton back.

Whitney thanks Evette for saying what she said about Whitney's dad. It meant a lot to Whitney. Evette says Henry was right about her dad. She's sick of making excuses for him. She shows up and Whitney hates her, but her dad bails and Whitney loves him. One day, she'll realize he doesn't deserve the pedestal she's put him on.

The Malhotras stand in silence. Nevaan goes to ask the valet what's taking so long. Reena knows the dream means a lot of Bela, but they also need her to protect her future in case comedy doesn't work out. Reena says if Bela promises to take biochemistry and biophysics next semester, she'll work on her dad. Bela agrees to that. She says she also needs money to buy books and underwear. Reena says she already put an envelope on her dresser.

Kimberly apologizes for embarrassing Carol. Carol says she knew dinner would be expensive and she'd saved for it. Kimberly just freaked out because fitting in at Essex has been harder than she expected. Carol says speaking of that, where did Kimberly get the coat she's wearing. It's not the one Carol shipped to her. Kimberly says it's Leighton's. Carol's proud of Kimberly for being at Essex and wants her to have all the great experiences it can provide, but she doesn't want Kimberly to pretend to be someone she isn't. She thinks Kimberly has changed since move-in day.

Leighton and Alicia cuddle and watch a show together. Leighton says she likes Alicia better than anyone else she knows. Alicia says that's sad because they've only known each other for four weeks. Leighton doesn't like a lot of people. Alicia doesn't want the compliment watered down and jumps on Leighton to get her to say it again.

On her way home, Kimberly stops by Theta.

Kimberly tells Nico the dinner sucked. He doesn't think it was that bad. He doesn't think of her as poor, for what it's worth. She says she is poor and that's okay. She just wishes she could belong at Essex. Nico says she does already. He leans forward and kisses her. He pulls back for a moment and they both lean in to keep kissing. She asks if they should go back to his room. He says he should probably go to bed to get a full night of sleep in. Then he says he's kidding and takes her to bed with him.

## Cast

### Starring

* Pauline Chalamet as Kimberly Finkle
* Amrit Kaur as Bela Malhotra
* Reneé Rapp as Leighton Murray
* Alyah Chanelle Scott as Whitney Chase
* Gavin Leatherwood as Nico Murray
* Midori Francis as Alicia
* Lolo Spencer as Jocelyn

### Guest Starring

* Rob Huebel as Henry Murray
* Nicole Sullivan as Carol Finkle
* Gillian Vigman as Mimi Murray
* Kavi Ramachandran Ladnier as Reena Malhotra
* Mueen Jahan as Nevaan Malhotra
* Jerry Minor as Whitney's Dad
* Gedde Watanabe as Professor Harpin
* Sherri Shepherd as Senator Evette Chase

### Co-Starring

* Betti as Travis
* Scott Lipman as Frude
* Samuel Davis as Waiter

## Music

 "Break"
 "Cut It Loose"
 "Fresh Hollows"
* Bela talks to her mom.
 "Highway Ocean"
* Kimberly goes to Theta.
* Kimberly and Nico talk about the dinner.