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The Valley, Episode 9: Taking the High Road, Protecting Your Peace, and Knowing When It’s Time to Lawyer Up 

the valley

This week’s episode of The Valley was an emotional rollercoaster. We saw Brittany take meaningful steps toward ending her marriage, Jesse continue to spiral over the past, and Jax’s behaviour somehow reach even more troubling lows. Between housewarmings, heartbreaks, and hard truths, this episode offered a lot to unpack—especially for anyone navigating separation, co-parenting, or financial fallout. 

Let’s get into it. 

The Power of Language When You’re at Your Breaking Point

At the beginning of the episode, Brittany says that Jax is “dead to her.” After all the emotional manipulation, surveillance, and financial chaos, it’s hard not to sympathize with her. His behaviour has been relentless and, frankly, abusive. 

Still, language matters, especially when you’re in the midst of a separation. I’ve worked with many clients in high-conflict cases where one parent is being pushed to their absolute limit. In those situations, it can feel impossible to take the high road. But the words we use to describe our ex-partner can carry weight, particularly if a judge is reviewing your communication or considering parenting arrangements. 

Speaking calmly, even when you’re rightfully angry, protects your peace and credibility. You don’t need to excuse someone’s behaviour to avoid using harmful language. You just need to choose words that won’t come back to hurt you. 

Kristen and Luke Are a Bright Spot

In more uplifting news, Kristen and Luke host a housewarming party, and it’s so nice to see Kristen genuinely happy. Their new home is lovely, and for the first time in a long time, Kristen seems truly content. It’s a refreshing change. 

In a cast full of conflict and dysfunction, their relationship might just be the healthiest one on the show. They communicate, support one another, and actually seem to like each other—a surprisingly rare combination in this friend group. 

Jesse Still Can’t Let Go

Meanwhile, Jesse is still clinging to old wounds. Jenna comes up to him at the party to tell him that she previously dated Aaron, before Michelle and Jesse officially separated. 

At this point, it’s not about seeking truth. It’s about trying to discredit Michelle. This kind of behaviour doesn’t move anyone forward. It only deepens the conflict. 

Whether Michelle was unfaithful or not is no longer the point. Jesse needs to focus on building a functional co-parenting relationship and being present for his child. Ruminating on the past only keeps him stuck in a cycle of resentment and blame. 

In separation, progress starts when you choose to let go of what you can’t change and invest in the future you can shape. 

Jax’s Manipulation Continues to Escalate

Just when we think Jax couldn’t possibly do anything more outrageous, he proves us wrong. Brittany reveals that he manipulated the front desk staff at his rehab facility into telling anyone who called that he’d had a heart attack and was in the hospital. It wasn’t true. His own therapist had to contact his family to assure them that he was fine. 

This isn’t just a white lie—it’s a serious breach of trust and a troubling pattern of deception. Faking a medical emergency to avoid accountability shows a complete lack of emotional maturity and awareness. 

If your ex is engaging in this kind of behaviour, it’s more than frustrating. It’s a sign that stronger legal boundaries may be needed to protect your emotional and financial stability. 

Co-Parenting, Grief, and the Danger of Comparing Trauma

One of the most honest moments in this episode comes when Michelle opens up to Lala about the challenges she’s facing—not just in her co-parenting relationship with Jesse, but in her personal life as well. We learn that Michelle’s mother has been seriously ill, a fact she hasn’t shared publicly until now. This emotional burden, compounded by a difficult separation and Jesse’s ongoing antagonism, paints a picture of someone holding it together under enormous pressure. 

Michelle also confides that she feels frustrated watching the group rally around Brittany, while her own struggles have been met with less empathy or support. Her feelings are completely valid—and incredibly common. When multiple people in a friend group are going through major life transitions at the same time, it’s easy to feel like there’s a silent contest for compassion. 

But trauma is not a competition. Each person’s experience is shaped by different factors: the nature of their breakup, their emotional support system, their financial circumstances, their health, and more. Comparing trauma—or how people respond to it—can be isolating and unproductive. 

As someone who works with people in transition every day, I see this happen in real life all the time. Here are a few reminders I share with clients who are navigating similar feelings: 

  • Everyone’s grief looks different. Some people are loud about their pain. Others are quieter, more stoic, or even private. That doesn’t mean one is more deserving of support than the other. 
  • Validate your own experience without diminishing someone else’s. Your pain is real, even if others are going through something too. 
  • Friend groups can be inconsistent in how they show up. This doesn’t make the hurt any less painful, but it might mean adjusting expectations. 
  • Don’t compare timelines. Whether it’s healing, dating, or moving on, each person’s journey will unfold at its own pace. 
  • Practice self-care and boundaries. When you’re emotionally raw, it’s important to nurture yourself first. That may mean limiting time with friends who aren’t showing up in ways you need. 

And finally—try not to internalize the way others react to your trauma. People can be uncomfortable with grief, especially when it’s layered and ongoing. But you deserve support, even if it doesn’t always arrive in the package you hoped for. 

Brittany Finally Meets with a Divorce Lawyer

Brittany’s meeting with a divorce lawyer was one of the most impactful moments in this episode. After everything she’s been through with Jax—emotional manipulation, financial control, and disturbing privacy violations—seeing her take formal steps to protect herself felt like a turning point. 

For anyone in a similar situation, here’s what I always tell my clients: you don’t have to wait for everything to fall apart before you take legal action. In fact, starting early can give you more control, more options, and a much smoother path forward. 

There’s a common misconception that once you “file for divorce,” it means the gloves are off and you’re headed straight to court. But in many cases, it’s the opposite. Filing your paperwork and opening a court file does a few key things: 

  • It provides a framework. Having a court file open allows your lawyer to bring applications on your behalf if things escalate unexpectedly, such as urgent parenting concerns, financial misconduct, or safety issues. It puts tools in our tool belt that we can use later, if needed. 
  • It creates legal boundaries. Filing can deter the other party from taking inappropriate action, like moving assets or making unilateral decisions about the children, because it signals that oversight is now in place. 
  • It helps formalize expectations. Many people operate in a kind of legal limbo after separation, unsure of who’s paying for what or when parenting time is supposed to happen. Starting the court process gives you a roadmap. 
  • It gives you momentum. Taking that first step, whether it’s seeing a lawyer, preparing paperwork, or officially filing, can offer an enormous sense of relief. You don’t have to stay stuck. 

Even if your situation doesn’t feel “urgent,” starting early helps ensure that if something changes—if communication breaks down, if debts start piling up, if parenting time becomes an issue—you’re already prepared. You’re not scrambling to catch up. You’re ahead of the curve. 

As Brittany’s story shows, the longer you wait, the harder it can be to untangle what’s gone wrong. That doesn’t mean it’s ever too late—but it does mean that starting early can save you time, money, and emotional strain. 

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Wait for a Crisis to Protect Yourself

This episode showed just how far things can spiral when bad behaviour is left unchecked. But it also showed the power of taking the first step. Brittany isn’t just surviving anymore. She’s taking action, reclaiming her voice, and finally starting to draw firm lines. 

There’s no “right” time to start over, but there is a wrong time to wait—when your safety, financial stability, or mental health are on the line. 

You deserve support. You deserve clarity. And you don’t have to do it alone. 

Disclaimer: these posts are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. They are not meant to provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, PLEASE consult a lawyer! Even better, book with us 🙂

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The Valley, Episode 9: Taking the High Road, Protecting Your Peace, and Knowing When It’s Time to Lawyer Up 

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