'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' recap ('Trouble on the Family Tree'): season 8, episode 10

Unfortunately, through the first nine episodes of season eight, Mama Joyce has been absent from the proceedings. It took the long festering rift between Kandi and Phaedra Parks to get her back in the game again. (You know she was hankering for some screen time!)

So in tonight's episode, Phaedra gets a "surprise" visit from Mama Joyce at her office. This can't really be that much of a surprise because the Bravo cameras are there.

The last time she was there, Mama Joyce castigated Phaedra for supporting Todd as Kandi's fiance. Now Todd and Kandi are a married couple with a bun in the oven. (The baby is now out and about.)

Mama Joyce asks her about the problems between her and Kandi. Phaedra downplays it as a "misunderstanding" and "we're on the right track now."

(To the cameras, Phaedra notes: "I'm not surprised she's still in the pot-stirring business.")

Mama Joyce doesn't want Kandi to have undue stress. And she actually asks Phaedra for some help for a baby shower. Phaedra loves big theme parties and gets into it.

Go figure! Mama Joyce actually came in peace, not war.

I thought she was going to try to force Phaedra to write a check to Todd. But her concern first and foremost is for Kandi, not Todd and his bank account.

Later, Todd shows Phaedra the exercise video. She isn't all that happy with it and has no intention of releasing it. But for the sake of her friendship with Kandi, she decides to pay the $8,425 bill after all, even with a smidge of resentment. "I am woman enough to squash this so I can move on," she said.

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Kenya puts together a family reunion with her dad, her friend Brandon and aunt Lori in Detroit.

She also wanted to reconnect with her mother, who had her as a teen and never spent time with her over 40-plus years. Kenya was raised her dad's mom. Her father said Kenya's mom has continued to ignore pleas to get to know her daughter.

Kenya tried by coming to her door. But her mom didn't answer. Sad.

"This is the last time I will extend myself," Kenya declared.

This "family of origin" issue may be part of why Kenya has had relationship problems over the years.

But at least she is now closer to her father's side of the family. And they showed up to her reunion, which seemed to go well (except for Aunt Lori, who left after just a few minutes.)

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Peter Thomas, in an effort to rekindle the romance with his wife Cynthia Bailey, takes her on a surprise trip to Mexico. We see a quick video of them having a good time.

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Porsha Williams is upset her sister Lauren isn't as hands-on with Porsha's various companies now that she's pregnant. She gets all angry at Lauren in a way that seems over the top. Is there underlying jealousy here? Lauren looks flabbergasted and says yes, she has sacrificed a lot to work for her sister. How about some compassion?

Phaedra told Porsha that her sister is emotional and she needs to cut her some slack.

Ultimately, Porsha admitted later she was resentful her sister kept the pregnancy from her so long. She thought they were closer than that. "It wasn't that I didn't feel the need," Lauren responded. "Given your situation, I felt like if I told you, you'd feel some kind of way." (As in jealous.)

Porsha denied that would be the case, that her life is good. But she admitted to the Bravo cameras, "It's like watching someone else live your dream."

"I'm not mad. I'm glad for you. Don't worry about me."

You have to give credit to Porsha. She has worked harder to ensure she has enough storylines to stay on as a cast member after being demoted last season.

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Wait: did Kim Fields even show up at all this week? Did I miss something?

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NEXT WEEK: Aunt Lori gives Kenya a hard time for going up to her mom's door. And NeNe Leakes missed "Real Housewives" after all and decides to make a cameo appearance. (We'll see how much of NeNe we ultimately get.) The Bravo folks must have been thrilled!