Real World Homecoming Episode 5 Recap “It’s about all of us”

Previouslys: Julie says when she was 19 she said, “I’m not racist,” but it took her this long (30-ish years!) to realize, “oh, I have to be anti-racist.” Kevin tells Becky that she (and all Americans) have been “grossly mis-educated and don’t even realize it.” Becky doesn’t listen, Norm tells her to shut up, and Becky leaves the loft. Then, in a post-Becky loft, Kevin and Norm say Becky has been ignoring their texts but made a plan to meet up with Julie. Well then! Norm asks hypothetically when Becky ever called Julie, as footage of Norm and Becky nuzzling rolls from 1991. “I’m not fucking happy, and carry that message to her.” The credits roll extremely hard. This is the Real World Homecoming 2021. And that is Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game.”

We open on Norm still angry about Becky’s leaving and trashing their friendship while doing so. Andre says he has “a real short wick right now,” he means “fuse.” Heather notes that real families argue and share feelings, but come back to talk about it. And Becky is straight-up blowing off their attempts at reaching out — except for Julie. But Heather notes this may be Julie’s persistence, curiosity, and pure nosiness. Julie says in an interview that she is’t sure if she’s a control freak, and she uses upward rising inflection so you know it’s performative. A producer says off-camera, sotto voce…