Two Judgey Girls – TJG: The Valley Season 3 Premiere!
Date: April 2, 2026
Hosts: Courtney (from LA) and Mary (from the Bay Area)
Episode Overview
Courtney and Mary reunite to discuss the Season 3 premiere of “The Valley,” a Bravo reality show featuring a group of former “Vanderpump Rules” cast members and their evolving (and often dramatic) lives, friendships, and relationships in LA’s San Fernando Valley. This episode centers on shifting group dynamics after Jax Taylor’s departure, cast shakeups, notable returns, budding feuds, and mounting parenthood pressures—all with the girls’ trademark irreverence and humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening: Bye, Jax! New Chapter for The Valley
- The girls start by debating the symbolic "taking down of the Jax sign."
- Courtney is over any mention: “Why did we have to even have a taking down of the Jax sign? He’s gone.” (03:32)
- Mary enjoyed the symbolism: “I loved that. I feel like it was very symbolic…It’s over.” (03:54)
- Both agree Jax’s absence feels like a cleansing for the show, with Mary doubting he’ll ever return.
2. Opening Credits Overhaul & Cast Hierarchy
- The new credits and cast groupings are dissected.
- New scenes: Kristen & Luke, Britney & Michelle as “cookie-cutter mamas,” Jesse & Tom Schwartz & Lala at a BBQ, Jasmine & Zach with a water balloon, Janet & Jason lounging.
- Courtney laments Jasmine and Zach’s low billing (“They need to be higher up. They have put in the work on this show!” (05:39)), while Mary finds the Desperate Housewives energy funny.
3. Britney’s Glow-Up without Jax
- Mary: “Feels like she shed 220 pounds of Jax Taylor and…got her sparkle back.” (07:20)
- Noting the homegoods “live, laugh, love” décor and positive outlook, they discuss Britney’s new relationship with Brandon—an old Kentucky friend.
- Mary senses Brandon wants to move in; Courtney and Mary both think her giddy energy is refreshing.
4. Single Lives & New Relationships
- Benji and Zach: Living together in WeHo, Benji openly uses weight-loss GLP-1s (“He looks fabulous…make the money and lose the weight!” (09:23))
- Jasmine and Melissa: Wedding planning montage highlighted, with Jesse Lawley (Jesse L.) angling to officiate their wedding.
- Jesse seems enmeshed with different friend groups, worrying Michelle’s spot in the group.
- Mary: “I weirdly feel like he is gonna win. Not that there’s any winning.” (09:58)
- Michelle’s breakup: Dumped for “not being fitness enough.” Courtney finds this ridiculous, as Michelle is “tiny, she looks fabulous.” (13:12)
- Both are firmly against a Michelle–Schwartz romance (“Absolutely not.” (14:13)), finding Schwartz too sad/Eeyore-ish for her.
5. Who is the Real Ringleader?
- Debate over group leadership:
- Courtney claims: “Britney is technically the ringleader…but it’s actually really Janet.” (10:04)
- Cites Janet’s subtle manipulations—removing birthday posts, icing people out, controlling who’s ‘in trouble.’
- Mary admits being “manipulated by Janet and I’m actually okay with it.” (13:03)
- Discussion of a swim date confrontation between Janet and Kristen, with underlying rivalry for group alpha.
6. Group Dynamics & Feuds
- Kristen’s hostility at Britney’s swim playdate recapped.
- Janet felt pushed out (“her child’s crying…super sad in the moment.” (11:25))
- Courtney suspects manipulation (“Using her child as the reason why.” (12:03)), but Mary sees both as vying for “top dog” status.
- The hosts highlight the series’ fun: clear group divides (Kristen/Luke, Jesse, Zach, Jasmine, Nia/Danny vs. Britney, Janet, Lala, Michelle).
7. Lala and Schwartz: Are They Necessary?
- Schwartz: Hosts agree he’s only necessary as a “friend of” not main; find his “sad” antics somewhat pitiable. (15:17)
- Lala: Courtney thinks she’s forcing things—“coming in too hard, too fast” (15:17)—and that Luke potentially being her baby daddy is a “funny” but overblown storyline.
- The moment of Lala learning about Luke’s sperm bank donation was a genuine surprise on camera.
- Mary: “Zach’s face was like what? That was not a pre-planned convo.” (15:49)
8. After Baby: Kristen’s Parenting Struggles
- Discussion shifts to Kristen’s tough postpartum adjustment.
- Mary: “She’s overwhelmed, to say the least.” (20:12)
- The show contrasts supermom Nia (with “four under four”) and struggling Kristen, which Mary considers unfair.
- Courtney stresses how postpartum struggles are being (perhaps exploitatively) used as storyline.
- “Can she, like, have a break?” (23:25)
- Both hosts empathize with Kristen—“Not a good look on Luke.” (23:37)
9. Jesse, Lacy, and the Divorce Papers
- Why won’t Jesse sign divorce papers?
- Theorizing: Is it cost? Power? Something hidden?
- Mary: “He’s hiding something. Maybe something would come out.” (19:39)
- Courtney: “You think it’s the last piece of power he has over her.” (19:36)
- Lacy is now in the fray, doing press, possibly leveraging money/power to keep Jesse.
- The Yamashiro end-of-last-season incident clarified: It was Lacy (not Michelle) who caused the drama, and now footage aired because Lacy’s a cast member.
10. Lacy, Michelle, and Co-Parenting Triangle
- Lacy, asserting herself as a “modern family” peacemaker, raises Mary’s suspicions (“I don’t trust Lacy” (29:07)).
- Michelle just wants Jesse to sign the divorce: “Well, to be honest, all I want is divorce. So if you could help me move that forward, I’d love that.” (29:10)
- Courtney confesses a (toxic) wish for Jesse and Michelle to get back together after sensing “chemistry” during a rock-paper-scissors co-parenting handoff.
- Mary: “No, we cannot let that happen. Absolutely not.” (29:52)
- Both agree Lacy is a barrier to healthy co-parenting.
11. Other Observations & Predictions
- Danny and Nia: Not much Danny so far; Nia foreshadowed to break down soon—possibly Dani-related or just “four under four” stress.
- Zach and Benji: Zach, a fan favorite, will feature more; intrigue over his open relationship now Benji moves in.
- Jasmine: Eager to see her wedding prep storyline.
- Britney: Courtney wonders aloud if her rumored “mommy makeover” will be covered this season.
- Overall Premier Review:
- Not a “strong, strong, strong premiere,” but the hosts are glad to be back in The Valley world. (31:44)
Memorable Quotes
- Courtney: “She is a homegoods that has thrown up in that house. They are live, laugh and loving.” (07:10)
- Mary: “Feels like she shed 220 pounds of Jax Taylor and…got her sparkle back.” (07:20)
- Courtney on Michelle-Schwartz: “Absolutely not.” (14:13)
- Mary on Janet: “I think I’ve been manipulated by Janet and I’m actually okay with it.” (13:03)
- Courtney on divorce drama: “You think it’s the last piece of power he has over her.” (19:36)
- Mary on Lacy: “I don’t trust Lacy. I really know not much about her, but I don’t trust her.” (29:07)
- Courtney (singing Britney Spears about Michelle & Jesse): “The taste of your lips I’m on a rhyme, you’re toxic. I’m slipping under just saying.” (30:20)
- Courtney on postpartum plot: “I can’t have a whole season of Luke not having sex. Like, boo. Who? Sorry, Van Gogh, use your hand. I’m just sorry. What the—She just had a baby three months ago. Leave her alone.” (33:04)
- Mary, dryly summing up: “Not a good look.” (33:51)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 03:32 – Season 3 Premiere kicks off, debate about Jax’s legacy
- 05:39 – New opening credits dissected; cast group billing controversy
- 07:00–08:46 – Britney’s Jax-free glow-up and new romance
- 09:23–09:39 – Benji and Zach’s life & GLP-1s confession; Jasmine’s wedding plans
- 10:04–11:01 – Who’s the real ringleader? Janet’s manipulation
- 13:12–14:15 – Michelle’s breakup, Schwartz’s “sad” return
- 15:17–16:10 – Lala’s forced entry; live sperm bank revelation
- 20:12–23:51 – Kristen’s postpartum struggles, group contrasts
- 18:26–19:42 – Jesse divorce papers speculation
- 27:38–29:27 – Yamashiro flashback, Lacy enters the cast, Michelle-Lacy drama
- 33:04–33:51 – Courtney and Mary vent about the exploitative postpartum storyline
- 31:44–32:51 – Discussion of overall season structure, mom makeovers, future conflict teases
Tone & Style
The discussion is informal, playful, and honest, filled with Bravo-insider references, snark, but also empathy—especially around parenthood and reality TV’s emotional costs. Courtney and Mary bring levity to group drama and always remind listeners that these are “real people” (with, sometimes, very funny problems).
Conclusion
The season premiere of The Valley introduces fresh dynamics in the wake of Jax’s axing, spotlights new romances, revived feuds, and the trials of Bravo parenthood, with hosts Courtney and Mary keeping it candid, witty, and judgey—all the way through.