There are actors in life that you aren’t sure you like and some that you know you will. Following Shayne Davis’ starring role on Vanderpump Rules, I was not sure I would like any of his vertical dramas. Why? Well, I am a little confused about who he is. On Vanderpump Rules, he comes across as a man with narcissistic tendencies and quite frankly the way that he talks about women and dating sometimes makes me cringe.
However, sitting down and watching some of his dramas, I have to admit that he is kinda entertaining. And by “kinda” I mean a lot of entertainment. He’s a good actor, one that I expected to play CEO or twins or something like that forever. A BDSM loving billionaire is not what I had on my list. However, I will keep laughing if people keep comparingTell Me What You Want to Fifty Shades – we need to have a talk. Cause ya, it’s not like that at all.
His co-star in the series is Kayla Merida and INSTANTLY we know it’s going to be interesting when she comes onto the screen dressed like a Playboy bunny. Did I step into the cliche of the early aughts? But hey, whatever floats one boat – I am not complaining.
After a chance encounter with Anna at a club, he expects to not see her again. But she ends up being drugged, and is then in the backseat of his car. He didn’t drug her, her husband did. Julian is not going to take advantage of her, even if she wants him to. Instead the man comes equipped with toys, as one does.
Waking up the next morning in his bed, she freaks out. She wants to sneak out, she’s got to be somewhere, but mistakes a curtain as a way out. Verticals are teaching me that nothing good is ever behind a curtain and/or a locked door. You don’t wanna be friends with the rich – that gets kicky really quick. She walks into his BDSM room.
Now, why every one of these rooms has to be red, not sure. I am afraid of the answer, so I don’t even want to know. But for real though all the silk sheets? That would turn into a slip and slide.
Anna is in a situation where she doesn’t want to be. Her father is sick and she’s trying to make sure that he’s okay. But the thing is – that involves money and apparently no one in verticals has insurance. So how does one come up with like a million dollars? Well apparently that is to sign a contract – either to be a lover or a wife. Whereas I don’t care how they do it – that’s up to the person involved.
Anna agrees to be Julian’s submissive. He’s made it clear that he has no feelings and he won’t gain any. At every turn though, he comes face to face with rescuing Anna or her being there for him. For instance when he brings her to an auction and she’s able to find a real Mark Twain manuscript for his mother – who is obsessed with the author. She helps him and it’s breaking down his walls.
His walls were falling so fast, they both didn’t expect it. He brought her to his Moms birthday party and she gave her a gift that just meant the world to her. When his Mom sees bruises on Anna’s back – she’s willing to throw down with her son. It’s Anna covering for Julian that lands her in therapy (courtesy Julians mama).
The therapist – Harry – is cray. He’s got a crush on Anna and tries to tell her that Julian is bad. Julian is destroyed, because he can see that Anna may be double thinking what Harry said. Ugh, Harry, this isn’t going to end well. Especially because the person that will suffer is Anna. She’s going to have to feel Julian’s fear, his trepidation, his inadequacies.
Now what I did love is how this vertical drama took a sharp turn here. He handcuffs her and breaks down. Julian actually breaks down in tears and he wants her reassurance that she knows that he is not bad. It was actually a really touching scene seeing him breakdown and then allowed himself to let her in.
What I will never understand is how all the exes are crazy. Julian’s ex somehow has access to tapes of what happens in his pleasure pad. So at a family event she makes that video public. In front of Julian’s entire family. Anna is willing to take the fall for what is there – as if she’s the person who brought Julian in. But he won’t let her. His Mom insists that he be carted off and locked up.
For Anna, this was the moment that she realizes that she can’t live without him. Time moves at a different pace in verticals because like she fell in love in a quick moment. She is willing to do whatever it takes to get him back. And so yes, she goes to his Mom for that.
When given a month to get Julian into shape, Anna rises to the occasion. I for the life of me can not understand why it is that he needs to be fixed. He’s got issues, sure. Who doesn’t? But it is no ones business what two consenting adults do. It’s actually weird that his Mom is locking him up for it.
Anna and Julian find their way to each other. Their lives and what happens behind closed doors remains for only them to understand. I think that is a pretty good thing. After all, not everything is everyone’s business.
Shayne Davis and Kayla Merida have this chemistry that makes you believe that their characters are trusting of each other. I think that if it wasn’t for them and for Davis allowing himself to let go a little bit and turn on the tears showcasing vulnerability, I would have been like meh. But these two made it interesting.
Some Side Notes
- Why are there always silk sheets? If a man has bright blue silk sheets – run
- Also was Julian’s bedroom holding all his gramsies old furniture?
- What the eff did they put Anna in everytime in the pleasure palace?
- What is with Moms and boundaries in these things?
- Exes are insane.
- Why does it matter so much about how much money one has – it makes no sense to me. Sharing is caring
- Julians Mom coming after him swinging… GO MOM
- Davis looks good in a suit
- Again why are trusting exes? This is never a good idea
- I really think that we should banish silk sheets from verticals. A pillowcase? Sure, keep it. A full on brothel? No. Just no.
