Last week on Southern Charm Season 11, Rodrigo and Tyler’s engagement party was full of (other people’s) drama. Things were awkward between former BFFs Venita and Salley. Craig cleared the air with Salley so Charley would feel less guilty about their date. He also declared Austen his enemy. Meanwhile, Austen flirted with Salley right in front of his poor girlfriend Audrey. The episode ended with Austen and Audrey fighting.
What happened on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 9?
This week on Southern Charm Season 11, it’s Austen’s 38th birthday, and he talks about his future with his mom. Venita hopes she can repair her friendship with Salley. Molly (who still has her infamous weave from America’s Next Top Model stashed away) prepares to sing live again. And Charley goes on her first date with Craig. Austen’s birthday dinner leads to another explosive fight between him and Craig. Here’s what else happened on Southern Charm Season 11 Episode 9, “Best Frenemies Forever.”
Venita wants her friend back
Last time, Venita’s mom scolded her for not being there for Salley. This week, Venita tells Madison how much she misses their friendship. Madison takes on the mom role and encourages both the girls to get over it and make up. “These girls are being childish,” she says, “they need to realize that the only relationship that’s gonna work is the friendship between the two of them.” She encourages Venita to talk to Salley.
Craig and Shep or Laverne and Shirley?
This week, Shep and Craig continue living together, which the show edits like a sitcom (laugh track and all). When they go to see Shep’s “big boy house,” the guys gossip about Austen and Audrey. They think he creates a minefield of problems for himself (Rodrigo compares it to Sideshow Bob and the rakes). Craig says Austen should follow the mindset of “everything is your fault,” something he saw a few years ago. Craig, in what world do you follow that mindset? Hearing CRAIG and SHEP talk about taking accountability and not blaming others for your problems is WILD.
Austen’s emotional sit down with his mom
Ahead of his birthday, Austen goes to his parents’ and shows his tribute tattoo to Kyle. His mom believes if Kyle survived, she’d be married with kids and advising Austen. This leads Austen to open up about his relationship, as he once again admits it’s at a crossroads.
After Rodrigo and Tyler’s engagement party, Audrey pointed out he always says “I” instead of “we” when talking about the future. His mom reminds him that when most people commit, they aren’t 100% sure at first if it’s the right person. Austen doesn’t know what’s wrong with him, since Audrey is a perfect partner. I guess his fear of commitment is that intense? He also isn’t sure he wants to have kids. But his mom tearfully tells him that having kids was the best thing she ever did.
Salley wants kids, not chickens
Austen’s current love interest Salley can’t wait to have kids. She jokes about stealing her sister’s baby and volunteers to watch the infant during the late night shift. However, Salley’s not feeling any maternal instinct towards the chickens. She wants to return them or drop them off with Craig (he named them, after all!). While Salley doesn’t like to live in regret (except for buying those chickens), she admits pursuing Craig was a mistake.
Craig and Charley’s first date
Meanwhile, Craig and Charley go on their oyster farm date. It’s the first time he’s been on a date without hooking up with the person ahead of time. As they eat oysters, he asks Charley about her ex. She says they were together for three and a half years, but he didn’t want to commit, despite talking about the future. Craig relates. Charley also admits she can be codependent, which we’ve seen in her dynamic with Salley. She and Craig flirt a lot, and they have chemistry. She asks him out again and he says yes.
The core four celebrate Austen’s birthday
Whitney throws a birthday dinner for Austen with fellow “OGs” Craig and Shep, but he’s worried about the guy’s drama. According to Shep, Austen is tired of being under Craig’s thumb. “Craig can be a bully,” Whitney says, but “Austen holds grudges … so it just becomes this circle jerk of stupidity and acrimony that keeps festering.” That’s one way to put it! (Side note: did everyone watch the Heated Rivalry edits of Craig and Austen on social media?) Jack, who is basically Craig’s non-ChatGPT therapist, advises him to go.
Finally, we’ve reached the dinner teased in Season 11’s premiere. Craig gifts Austen a very nice bowtie, so Austen jokes that he’s “frenemy number one.” Austen remembers that, the first time they met, Craig asked if he wanted to become best friends just to piss Shep off.
Shep is happy Austen and Craig are getting along, wishing it could be like this all the time. Craig makes a preposition proposition that everyone stay positive and have fun. However, Austen wants Craig to answer for some things.
Austen asks about the date with Charley. Whitney asks “Did you consummate” … and I really didn’t need to hear Whitney say “consummate.” Craig asks a whole bunch of weird questions about dating and worries about leading Charley on. The guys advise him to go on the second date and stop overthinking so much.
When it’s birthday boy’s turn to make a toast, he says, “It’s good to have your friends together, but keep your enemies closer.” Craig asks if they’re enemies, so Austen reminds him he said as much to Salley. In turn, Craig accuses Austen of rooting for his downfall. And we’re off on Austen versus Craig, round 500.
Austen’s birthday dinner from hell
First, Austen brings up Craig’s drinking. Remember when Craig opened up to Austen about his drinking problem in the Bahamas? Now that Craig’s at the bars again, Austen thinks that was just a manipulation tactic. Austen emphatically insists Craig’s drinking doesn’t bother him, but thinks Craig made up a problem to avoid accountability. Austen even puts “addiction” in air quotes! Craig is flabbergasted Austen “made my drinking problem about him.” Shep tells Austen this is wrongheaded, and I have to agree.
Craig fires back with another low blow. He trashes Austen for being in the same place he was five years ago. Austen is hurt, admitting his beer company isn’t where he wants it to be. Shep pleads with them to stop, but Austen says Craig’s been a “prick” for three years.
Eventually, they break the fourth wall. Craig accuses Austen of trashing Audrey before filming, and says he’s a completely different person on camera. Austen thinks that’s rich coming from Craig, “the liar of all liars.”
When Craig complains that Austen hates him, he fires back, “Yes, I do f*cking hate you!” Whitney tells Austen to apologize, but he refuses. Craig claims he, Shep, and Whitney never screamed that they hate each other. Craig and Austen’s friendship is declared over (for the 50th time this season), and the guys agree not to order dessert.
We end with the Southern Charm midseason trailer, which shows Austen and Salley crossing lines, Venita and Craig confronting each other, and, of course, another blowout Craig and Austen fight. We’ll have to keep watching to see it all!
Southern Charm airs Wednesdays 9/8c on Bravo. Episodes can be streamed on Peacock.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF SOUTHERN CHARM SEASON 11 EPISODE 9? DID AUSTEN GO TOO FAR IN THE LATEST FIGHT WITH CRAIG?
