‘Run the World’ Recap: ‘My New Therapist Says…’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Corbin Reid and Stephen Bishop as Sondi Hill and Mathew Bishop in Episode 204 of ‘Run the World’ – ‘My New Therapist Says…’ (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 204 of ‘Run the World’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When it comes to bouncing back from big changes in our lives and healing from the trauma and rattling nature those changes can cause, our world firmly believes… that having a support network and a positive attitude… are everything we need to complete that process. And there is… some merit to that thinking. After all, we do need people that call us on our nonsense and lift us up in our time of need and no, we cannot let the bad days get us down. But while those elements do help us to heal, we need more to heal completely. We need an external observer to help us get there. Someone that can see what we cannot and can offer a raw honesty that not even our bestest friend in the whole wide world can offer. Which is why, seeing a therapist is never a bad thing. For they can offer all of that… and for proof… look no further than this week’s episode of Run the World on STARZ.
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For ‘My New Therapist Says…’ saw Whitney, and Renee, and Sondi’s old therapist retire and in stepped a new one… Dr. Monica Mitchell. Who offered that honesty to our beloved trio. For instance, Renee was struggling with the fact that her new relationship with Preston, was moving as fast as his private jet, and she was deeply worried… this would end as poorly as her last relationship. So, she was ghosting, shielding, doing all the wrong things when he was treating her right. But Monica… helped her to understand that it was okay to set boundaries in a new relationship and to also embrace the unknown and enjoy the moment. Because who knew? There might be a chance that Preston could be her one and only and if she shut him out… she would never know that. And… if she skipped out on therapy, she might have come to those epiphanies a little too late.

As for Whitney, well… she was struggling to process the mess that still hung over her head with Ola. Sure, she was back at work and finding routine, but that mistake hung heavy over her head and there was great guilt in her heart. The kind that was fresh and painful again because of a double cross from her pastor. One that put her in a room with Ola, and that uh… well that went badly, plain, and simple. But it also opened up Whitney’s eyes to the reality that she did want resolution… possibly through a chance to just talk it out with Ola. But Monica’s work and honesty, helped her to realize… not only why she did what she did. Since the affair was born out of a worry that the future would not be bright as a submissive wife, but that Whitney was at a crossroads. One where she could either continue to hang onto this mistake or own up to it and start to move forward and heal what needs to be healed, and find resolution in doing so, regardless of Ola. All because a doctor asked her to be honest with herself over anything else. 

Of course, Sondi was part of this exploration into the power of therapy as well. Because she too was in a tough spot in this tale, wherein she was finding her agency and her voice through the changes she was making in her life, and that left her wondering… if sticking with Matthew was the right path or if she was just using that as a waystation to ground herself. Thanks to Monica’s work, it became clear… it was the latter. That a younger version of herself saw life with Matthew and his daughter… as the path she wanted, the way forward. But that was only because she hadn’t found a voice or what thrills her and now that she had, she was beginning to realize, that there was more for her out there and while it was going to be scary to pursue it all, she had to. She needed to know what her journey entailed and what it might offer her from a peace perspective and well… that led to some struggles and eventually, an understanding that the good doctor and her friends were right, and she had to forge her own path now. 

All of which, brought forth something that we need more of on television. Specifically… a presentation of mental health care, through therapy, in a positive and meaningful light. Because Whitney, Renee, and Sondi didn’t choose to go to therapy because they were broken or struggling to put the pieces back together. They just wanted a helping hand, guidance, and clarity, and that is what mental health care and therapy can do for people. Because it isn’t for the weak, nor is it just some plot device to give characters an epiphany. It’s real honesty, it’s real help for people and this episode deserves every bit of praise this writer can offer for finally putting that front and center in a television show. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that we saw these characters grow in a dynamic manner from taking part in therapy, something that reaffirms its use and well, in the end, this incredible episode reminds us of the sheer brilliance of this show, and it definitely leaves us eager to see how the honesty present here will guide Whitney, Sondi, and Renee to new heights in the weeks to come. Until next time.  

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