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Tear Jerker / The Haves and the Have Nots

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WARNING: Spoilers are unmarked.

Season 1

Season 2

  • Amanda's descent into madness, which culminates with her committing suicide, as confirmed early in Season 3.

  • Veronica's absolutely cruel treatment of Jeffrey after he comes out (most of all, blackmailing him into dating girls by threatening to have him arrested for a crime he didn't commit) is extremely painful to watch. Every single instance of her abuse makes her all the more despicable; in fact, any one of them could qualify as a Moral Event Horizon.

  • David and Veronica's marriage becoming deeply strained as a result of their different reactions to their son's homosexuality, culminating with David learning that Veronica has Jeffrey's car in her custody and is using it to blackmail him into dating women, then deciding to move out of their house until his wife changes her behavior.

  • Candace revealing to Hanna and Benny that her young son, Q, is dead. Fortunately, it turns out to be false.

Season 3

  • In "A Southern Brawl," after her encounter with David and Maggie at the Sarandon Hotel, Veronica goes to see Jeffrey at his apartment, tells him what's going on between her and his father...and then blames him for her and David's marital problems. A truly epic Kick the Dog moment.

  • "Amanda's Room":

  • "The Press Conference":
    • Wyatt and Celine's reactions to finding Amanda dead.
    • Likewise, Katheryn's own reaction to receiving news of Amanda's suicide.

  • "A Tragic Day":

  • "April 7, 1979":
    • Katheryn recounting the day she first met Jim and then saying that particular day was a curse, and her blaming her husband for not getting Amanda the help she needed sooner and promising to make him suffer for his actions.
    • Jim and Katheryn looking at Amanda's body as the coroners take her away.

  • "In Crisis":
    • Picking up immediately from the end of the previous episode, Jim confronts Wyatt over essentially saying that Amanda committed suicide because of her parents' actions, and the two come to actual blows. Wyatt then shows everyone else in the room Jim's cell phone filled with e-mails and messages from his many mistresses over the years, and reveals that when he was being molested by a priest at a camp as a child, he tried calling Jim, who said he was busy when, in actuality, he was having an affair with Celine.
    • Hanna revealing that Candace, as a child, was molested by one of her (Hanna's) former boyfriends and that she didn't do anything about it sooner, followed by her begging Candace to forgive her for her past actions towards her, and urging her to get her act together before she ends up dead. Also a Heartwarming Moment, since this is one of the few times where Hanna is calm and civil towards her daughter.
    • Veronica telling David "Go to Hell" after she mocks him for heading off to meet with Maggie and he coldly tells her to go home.
    • The episode ends with Jeffrey getting beat up by Quincy on Veronica's orders after he refuses to reveal where Candace is.

  • "A Talk with Jim":
    • Katheryn confides in Hanna that Veronica isn't a true friend to her (in the previous episode, Katheryn tried to get Veronica to accept that Jeffrey is gay, only for Veronica to shut her down).
    • Katheryn returns home from Hanna's house to find Jim sitting in the living room drinking a glass of liquor. She sits down across from him, they share the glass, and Jim reminisces about the day Amanda was born, saying he thought he'd never put her down. Katheryn, however, says he wasn't there when she was in labor. Jim then seemingly laments his behavior and asks why can't he stop, but Katheryn just mocks him, saying he's done the same thing (do something terrible, regret it, but go and do it again) before. A beautiful depiction of how screwed-up the Cryers are.

  • "Oscar":
    • Jim breaking down in tears in Amanda's room and wondering aloud "Why did you do this?" Hanna (who had moments earlier yelled at Jim in response to his berating her for hiring a cleaning crew to clear out the aforementioned room) overhears Jim weeping, then comes into the room and comforts him as he grieves. Jim then apologizes for his harsh words toward Hanna and tearfully apologizes to Wyatt (who catches his father weeping in Hanna's arms, but continues on). Hanna then tells Jim why she hired a cleaning crew in the first place: She can't get the image of Amanda's body out of her mind and can't stand seeing the blood on the walls, and was trying to spare Jim from seeing said blood.
    • Benny's confrontation with Tony, in which he tries to force him to admit the truth about why he tried to take him off life support while he was in a coma in Season 2. Tony lies by saying he believed that Benny didn't want to live as an invalid (in actuality, he wanted a kidney transplant from his son), and ends up leaving the house.

  • "Unglued":
    • Wyatt unsympathetically informing his parents that he's confessed to D.A. Sallison about how Jim and Veronica covered up his role in Lizzie's death, and Jim and Katheryn act like their usual Jerkass selves towards their son.
    • BOTH of David and Veronica's confrontations in this episode.
      • The first one has David calling Veronica and angrily demanding answers from her as to Jeffrey's whereabouts, telling her he's sick of her shit and pretty much deciding to "act like a son of a bitch" to her.
      • During the second confrontation, taking place in the hotel bar, David launches into a fiery tirade at his wife for releasing Quincy, a convicted murderer, from prison and having him attack Jeffrey (which Veronica, without any hint of shame or regret or guilt, admits to doing because, basically, she's too weak to do it herself), and dismisses Veronica as a "simple bitch," which prompts Veronica to start throwing glasses and chairs around while ranting madly.

  • "Enough is Enough":
    • The conversation between Jim, Katheryn, and Wyatt, in which they take shots of liquor while exposing harsh truths about each other (Jim admits to having an uncontrollable desire for sex, and Katheryn admits to having her own affairs behind Jim's back). The whole thing ends with Jim giving Wyatt a harsh speech about how he's going to get raped in prison, among other things.
    • Candace's son Q, whom Candace claimed had been murdered by Quincy, turns out to be alive but in his brutish father's clutches. Quincy visits the Young household and taunts Hanna by holding Q upside down while the poor kid screams in fear. Hanna comes out of the house and gets to hold her grandson, who tells her his father abuses him. To top that off, he strikes Hanna when she tries to stop him as he heads off with his son.
    • Jeffrey standing up to Veronica after he learns that she set him and Melissa up so he would get Melissa pregnant and be forced to marry her, telling her he's tired of her threats and that he's done with her before saying "You go to Hell!" and leaving the house. It's also a Moment of Awesome for Jeffrey, but still sad.
      • Worse, after Jeffrey storms out, Veronica just sits down on the couch and muses "What are we gonna name this baby?" This woman is diabolically bent on having her way, apparently.
    • A drunk Veronica seducing Benny after bailing him out of jail. Watching the nicest character in the whole series get seduced by the resident Manipulative Bitch is extremely hard to watch.

  • "Two Funerals":
    • Hanna rebuking Candace for bringing Quincy into their lives and angrily asking her "What's wrong with you?" before leaving. Candace is clearly affected by her mother's words, and Oscar is left to try and comfort her.
    • Wyatt cruelly remarking to Celine that Jim didn't help Amanda; this enrages Jim to the point where he violently assaults his son and again threatens to kill him until Hanna comes in and stops him.

  • "In Memoriam":
    • Candace and Hanna's interactions. Candace shows up at Amanda's funeral in defiance of her mother's wishes to stay away, and Hanna threatens to drag her away, but Candace is undeterred.
    • The Reveal that Veronica is blackmailing Melissa by threatening to foreclose on her family's house, meaning her father, who has cancer, won't be able to get his medication. Another Moral Event Horizon-worthy moment for Veronica.

  • "Nine Lives":
    • Jim and Katheryn's interrogation of Candace as to why Amanda committed suicide. They both strongly suspect that Candace had something to do with their daughter taking her own life. Candace refuses to accept any blame. Hanna, realizing Candace didn't leave the Cryer Mansion after Katheryn falsely told her so, comes into the room and sticks up for Candace, only to then make it clear to her daughter that she's NOT on her side and actually demands that Candace tell the Cryers what they want to know. Candace then confesses that Amanda was raped by her law professor and thought she had gotten pregnant by him, shocking and upsetting Jim and Katheryn.
    • Veronica coming by the Young household and seducing Benny a second time. At first, Benny resists her advances, but he gives in. Oh, Benny...
      • Worse, Benny and Veronica's sex scene is interspersed with Candace and Oscar's sex scene. ::shudder::
      • And the episode ends with Hanna finding Benny and Veronica in bed together, just after she crosses paths with David outside the house and invites him in.

  • "The Cougar":
    • Hanna's confrontation with Benny after catching him and Veronica in bed together. She makes it very clear she's disappointed in him, and Benny replies he's an adult and he's only living in his mother's house to help her make ends meet, angering Hanna further.
    • In the final act, Jim comes into Wyatt's jail cell with Norman Hewens (Jim's Fall Guy for Wyatt's vehicular manslaughter), makes the two men exchange each other's clothes, and then leaves the jail with Norman, leaving Wyatt behind in the cell. The real kicker is Jim referring to Norman as "my son" and Wyatt as "Norman."

  • "Candace Young Esquire":
    • Wyatt desperately trying to convince the prison guard of his actual identity, and then fending off Norman's cellmate Rico, who announces his intentions to rape him after the lights go out and later actually tries to do so until he's stopped by a guard, who remains unsympathetic to Wyatt's situation. Though he holds his own against his would-be rapist, Wyatt ends up breaking down in tears and begging for help.
    • Benny returns home after meeting with Candace at her "job" (which she doesn't really have, but he doesn't know that), and things between him and his mother remain strained in light of his dalliance with Veronica as Benny asserts he believes that his sister has a job and Hanna resolutely refuses to believe otherwise. As Benny leaves again, Hanna tells him they're not done talking about Veronica, but Benny just peremptorily tells her "Goodbye" and leaves.

  • "Benny Does Battle":
    • Katheryn finding Amanda's diary and reading it, confirming that Amanda was raped by her law professor. Once finished, she's left in tears.

  • "Quincy Jr":
    • Hanna breaking down crying in her bedroom and praying to God after Benny brings Q to her.
    • Hanna and Benny finding Q's back is filled with scars inflicted upon him by his father and possibly also his aunt.
    • Hanna and Benny finding out that Child Services wants to take Q and put him in foster care unless they can get into contact with one of Q's biological parents.
    • Jim and Katheryn visit Wyatt in jail, and Wyatt begs his parents to let him come home. Jim, however, decides his son isn't ready to return home, so he and Katheryn leave while Wyatt yells for them to let him out.
      • Worse, the episode ends with Wyatt about to be raped by his new cellmate.
    • Jeffrey comes home to his apartment to find that, not only has Melissa has moved in, she's also bought new furniture while Veronica had Jeffrey's belongings taken away. Jeffrey angrily tells Melissa he doesn't want to be a father like this, and the two of them have a heated row before Jeffrey leaves. The whole scene just adds fuel to the already-raging fire that is Veronica's wickedness.

  • "A Home for Q":
    • The aftermath of Wyatt's rape. Wyatt is clearly traumatized by the ordeal, while his rapist, a Scary Black Man, taunts him, even asking him if he wants more and then prepares to rape him a second time. The scene almost mirrors Amanda's rape in Season 1, but unlike with Amanda, help does arrive in the form of a prison guard.
    • Candace reunites with her long-missing son Q, only to learn that Hanna is pressing for custody of the boy. Candace and Hanna then argue over what's best for Q, with Hanna urging Candace to think about someone other than herself for once, and Candace angrily telling her mother to "Go to Hell" before getting the Child Services worker to admit that Hanna presently has no right to take Q and then demanding that Hanna not be allowed to see Q. Hanna plays it cool and leaves the room, promising that she's going to get custody of Q no matter what.
    • Veronica seduces Benny a third time at his workplace, and this time, it looks like David is about to find out the ugly truth about his wife.

  • "Candace's Closing":
    • Jim's distress over finding out that Wyatt was raped in prison.
    • Both Candace and Hanna, at separate points, being told by the Child Services worker that they have to leave the hospital. For Hanna's part, she can't even sit out in the waiting room.
    • Wyatt tearfully begging his father to let him out of jail, promising never to drink, do drugs, or talk to Sallison. Jim does let Wyatt out, but as they're driving home, Jim maintains that Wyatt needed to learn a hard lesson about prison and even threatens to take Wyatt back to the jail if he gets angry with him for his actions.
    • Wyatt deciding to run away from home.
    • David calls Veronica to his office and questions her about why she was at the tow yard, and Veronica openly admits she was having sex with the owner (Benny, but David remains unaware of that). David then gives her a stern speech about her past actions, including arranging for Wyatt's Prison Rape, before warning her that if she continues with her wicked ways, their marriage is over. Veronica then hands him a folder containing divorce papers and leaves the office.
    • The episode ends with Diana Winchil, who's interviewing Jim, questioning Jim about his two illegitimate children with Celine, who are in contact with Winchil's show via satellite.

  • "Dianna Winchil":
    • Carlos denouncing Jim on national TV as an absentee father who doesn't care for others and therefore is unfit to be Governor of Georgia.
    • Jeffrey and Veronica's confrontation, in which Jeffrey refuses to stick up for his mother when Landon insults her and outright defies Veronica's orders to go see Melissa. True, it's nice seeing Veronica get owned and Jeffrey who, for a long time, was an Extreme Doormat to his mother stand up for himself, but the sheer rudeness and animosity between mother and son is painful to watch.
    • Benny, in an attempt to mend the rift between himself and Hanna, takes his mother to see his tow yard and then the Big Fancy House that Candace bought for him. On one hand, it's heartwarming to see Benny and Hanna interact peaceably again, but on the other hand, it's tear-jerking because Benny is lying about certain details, like who his business partner is (Candace also bought him the tow yard).
    • The breakdown of Jim and David's friendship in the aftermath of Jim physically assaulting Veronica after finding out she was the one who arranged for Wyatt's Prison Rape. At the end of the episode, David warns Jim that if anything happens to Veronica, he'll strike back at Jim. After David leaves the office, Jim puts hits out for Terrell (the officer involved in the mix-up that led to Wyatt's rape), Professor Cannon, and Veronica.

  • "Sheep's Clothing":
    • Hanna and Benny's reactions to seeing their house on fire as a result of Quincy driving his car right into it in the previous episode.
    • Veronica breaking down in tears after Maggie informs her that David almost engaged in an affair with her but couldn't go through with it because he still loves Veronica despite her evilness, showing there may be a glimmer of hope for the resident Manipulative Bitch.
    • After Jim has sex with Celine, he laughs off her question about whether they can get her re-hired at the Cryer Mansion before launching into an insanely cruel speech about how he no longer loves Celine and he only came to have sex with her in order to make himself feel good before vowing to pay little child support for "that bastard" (meaning his illegitimate son, Carlos) and leaving, telling Celine to "Go to Hell" after she yells that things are far from over.
    • Hanna suspecting Candace of being the culprit behind the loss of her house, and forcing Benny to admit that Candace paid for his house and tow yard before demanding to be taken to her daughter's own house so she can confront her.

  • "When the Chickens Come Home":
    • Hanna and Benny confronting Candace about where she got the money to buy her house, Benny's house, and the tow yard. Candace refuses to tell them how exactly she got the money, and Benny loses trust and faith in his sister, and they both leave the house.
    • Hanna tearfully asking why Benny and Candace can't just tell the truth, and then refusing to stay with Benny in his house and deciding to head off alone, telling Benny "Don't follow me" as she goes.
    • Benny seducing Veronica into another sexual encounter after Veronica insists they can't see each other anymore, and Veronica actually giving into the younger man's advances. It comes damn-near close to being a Faceā€“Heel Turn for the nicest character in the show.
    • Jim's speech playing over a montage of his targets (sans Veronica, who's present at the speech) being executed as he ordered.

Season 4

  • "The Waters Run Deep":
    • Jeffrey's distress over having murdered Quincy in defense of himself and Candace.
    • Jim and David's argument while they're both sitting in a jail cell, in which David repeats his warning to Jim that, if anything happens to Veronica, he'll "show you an enemy unlike any you've ever seen," and Jim pretty much accepting the challenge.
    • Benny calls Hanna, who's staying at a hotel with Q, to try and convince his mother that he can make the tow yard (that Candace bought for him using the money she extorted from Jim in Season 3) work, but Hanna acts very hostile and bitter towards him for the lies he told the previous season, even calling him "Candace" because he's starting to sound like his sister. It's hard to watch a mother and son who were so close come to this state.

  • "Paid in Full": Benny again lies to Hanna, this time about how he found out that the sale of his tow yard is legitimate.

  • "The Right Medicine": Jeffrey, who was arrested in the previous episode ("Paid in Full") for drunk driving, being harassed by the police officer, who makes crude remarks about Jeffrey's homosexuality and outright tells Jeffrey that gay people like him disgust him. Jeffrey just cannot catch a break, can he?

  • "An Evil Soul":
    • After yet another heated exchange between himself, Jim, and Veronica, David remarks he's going to go ahead and sleep with Maggie, causing Veronica to snipe back that that'll make them "even," to which David then replies "No, it'll make us over."
    • Jeffrey vowing to make sure his mother goes to prison after learning she arranged for Wyatt to be raped in prison.

  • "Immunity":
    • Jeffrey telling Candace that everything that's happened thus far is because of her, and telling her he doesn't want to talk to her again.
    • Q passing out on a bench while Hanna is taking him to the hospital.

  • "Making Millions":
    • David confronting Veronica in jail so he can ask her where she lives in order to stop the hit that Jim put out on her. Veronica, however, refuses to share the information and yet again mocks David for his supposed affair with Maggie and even falsely tells David she's living with "her man." David leaves the jail while Veronica calls over him.
    • After sleeping with Maggie, David tells her that his marriage to Veronica is over and they're getting a divorce, then admits to Maggie that he slept with her in a fit of anger towards his wife.
    • Benny telling Candace he's done with her, and Candace convincing him to sue the Cryers for the damages he suffered as a result of Wyatt hitting him in late Season 1.

  • "A Front Row Seat":
    • After setting Wyatt straight, Hanna goes into the Cryers' kitchen and tearfully prays to God for help, telling Him that what she's going through (Q's illness, her estrangement from Benny, losing her house, etc.) is "too much."
    • Candace and her friend beating up Aliyah, the child services worker who helped Hanna get custody of Q, on the suspicion that she's working for Oscar.

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