The Never Ever Mets can reveal a lot of secrets, but how the reality TV stars deal with indiscretions can certainly tell a lot about a person’s character, and Brandon may have gone a little overboard with his concerns about his girlfriend’s drinking habits. OWN’s Never Ever Mets takes a handful of couples who have been dating online only and puts them in a house together for three weeks. During this time, couples have access to therapists, coaches, and a “Boom Boom Room” to help them determine if they have a connection worth pursuing outside the internet/phone realm.
Translating the couples’ connections hasn’t seemed to be an easy task. In Season 1, several couples were willing to continue their connection after the show ended, but they still seemed to have their fair share of issues to overcome. Now it’s time for Season 2 and there are even bigger problems this time around. Since these couples never met and communicated only through electronics, it’s easy to hide secrets and parts of themselves they normally wouldn’t be able to. As the couples come together in the house, they start to realize just how much their partners have been hiding and, so far, it seems like Brandon was in for a big surprise.
Brandon Calls Keke’s Drinking Into Question
Since Brandon and Keke met and have been living together in the group home for the rest of the stars, he’s beginning to realize Keke might drink a little more than what he’s comfortable with. To him, it seems like Keke is drinking every day, almost all day, and then often doesn’t feel well or do her best the next day because of hangovers. As a result, he’s often picking at her and brings up her drinking habits in every scene they appear in together. Brandon will bluntly ask Keke if she doesn’t feel well “because of how much she drank last night.” While his concern is understandable, it’s not his place to reprimand Keke almost every day.
Brandon might also be taking the situation slightly out of context. First and foremost, Keke’s argument that they are sort of on vacation stands up. The couples are in highly stressful situations and, truthfully, all the couples are drinking. Additionally, by her own admission, she’s a “bigger girl,” which likely means she can handle more liquor than Brandon’s giving her credit for. She hasn’t appeared blackout drunk in any of the episodes, or caused a huge commotion like some of the other women. On top of that, when it was time for friends and family to visit, Keke’s support system agreed that she’s much more of a social drinker. Overall, it could be safe to assume that Keke’s drinking is mostly a way to have fun, let loose, and get more comfortable than it is to self-medicate.
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‘Never Ever Mets’ Star Brandon Feels Controlling
The reality star is right, and this shows a much more controlling side to Brandon that Keke might not have been aware of. Keke also noted this in her confessional when she said, “it starts with the drinking, and then it’s this and that,” meaning Brandon will always find an issue to complain about that he’d want Keke to fix. After Brandon explains that his father was an alcoholic, it seems like he has more inner healing to do and might be taking his trauma out on Keke.
Having Brandon’s brother come into the picture and offer an unbiased view was exactly what they needed. He, too, recognized that this was a special circumstance and Keke wasn’t overdoing it to the point where she needed to be dragged into bed every day. Nor was she making a complete fool out of herself in the house. If Keke was getting blackout drunk each day or was drinking heavily on a regular basis at home, Brandon’s concerns would be that much more understandable. However, her habits seem like a way to be more social, enjoy the time, and perhaps bond with her boyfriend.
Overall, there’s a fine line here. Brandon, as a partner and reality star who is invested in Keke’s well-being, should have some space to raise his concerns. Knowing how he grew up facing alcoholism also plays a major role in how he reacts, which is where Keke should also learn to practice some empathy. However, the relationship is still in the early stages, and they’re in a unique situation. It would be interesting to see if he would’ve had a similar reaction if they were on a cruise or an official “vacation” together for their first time meeting. In the end, though, Brandon should offer Keke a little more grace, and Keke should be a little more understanding of where he’s coming from. No one is truly in the wrong here. They both care, which seems genuine, but they do have a difficult time expressing their emotions healthily.
The Never Ever Mets Seasons 1 and 2 are available on HBO Max.