When an actor decides to direct the television series in which they are starring, that particular actor’s scenes and story line is usually limited.  After all, they need to focus on the directing task at hand.  Not so for Shiri Appleby’s directorial debut on the UnReal episode “Casualty.”  Shiri delivered a powerful performance joined with stellar directing for a television union to remember.

The episode picks up the next day after Jeremy’s (Josh Kelly) attack. Rachel (Shiri Appleby) is a mess, crying, running mascara, the works.  Chet (Craig Bierko) enters her trailer to see if she’s okay.  Rachel tells him that she wants to go to the police.  But Chet reminds that Jeremy “knows where all the bodies are buried.” So, that means Rachel needs to keep quiet.

Rachel reluctantly agrees.  But no sooner than Chet leaves, Rachel begins drawing circles around the bruises Jeremy gave her and takes damaging selfies/evidence photographs. Then, it’s time to play producer so out comes the concealer to cover the bruises and it’s on to business as usual.

The Everlasting show this week- Darius (Bj Britt) will go on a home town date with one of the contestants. Rachel wants him to go with Beth Ann. A black man going on a date with a white woman in Alabama? Hell no, he won’t go!  Darius would prefer to visit Chantal’s home town which Rachel considers would be a snooze fest that would get the show moved to a teeny, tiny network with the show sponsored by Ambien.

But Rachel won’t take no for an answer. “I am your quarterback and I want you to run my plays!” Rachel’s shouts, drawing the attention of everyone on set, both cast and crew.  She’s coming unhinged but tries to pretend everything is okay.  Shiri Appleby’s acting and direction shows this balance. Seeing how upset Rachel is, Darius agrees to go on the date.

While Rachel is having her emotional break of epic proportions, Quinn (Constance Zimmer) is enjoying a romantic date with John Booth (Ioan Gruffudd). Well actually, they are in the cemetery after her father’s service. Quinn and John leaning on a tree k-i-s-s-i-n-g.  John wants to take Quinn to the resort he owns in Bahamas. As she is driving with John, Quinn receives a call from Chet, who tells her about Rachel yelling at the suitor. He tells Quinn she needs to get back there pronto.

Driving up to Beth Ann’s family home, Darius says “I feel like I should be running,” not happy about being ‘back on the plantation.’ Although there is a Confederate flag on the porch, Beth Ann’s family is far from racist.  In fact, they are big fans of Darius’, who then goes shooting bottles with ‘the men folk.’ And then they have dinner.  This is so boring to Rachel. “It’s a hootenanny,” she says ready to bring some excitement to this date.  Her prayers are answered when Beth Ann (Lindsay Musil) tells Rachel that she is pregnant by her ex-boyfriend who is also an ex-con.  Rachel later tells Coleman “Beth Ann has a future Trump supporter growing in her uterus.”

When Quinn arrives back, Chet tells her what Jeremy did to Rachel. Quinn is outraged and threatens bodily harm to Jeremy’s balls.  She calls Rachel and orders her to come back but Rachel refuses.

Later, Rachel tells Beth Ann that the man who raised her wasn’t her biological father and encourages Beth Ann to tell Darius and her family about her pregnancy on camera.

Meanwhile, Quinn confronts Jeremy about hitting Rachel.  She also tells Coleman (Michael Rady) what Jeremy did to Rachel and insists that he keep her in Alabama. Coleman later tells Rachel he knows what happened with Jeremy.

Jay and Madison (Jeffrey Bowman Chapman, Genevieve Buecher) are determined that their contestants get as much screen time as possible so they have Dr. Wagerstein (Amy Hill) do a segment called “The Mirror of Truth” in which the women are told to candidly talk about why they believe Darius didn’t chose them for the home town date. Things get downright catty when Tiffany (Kim Matula) and Yael (Monica Barbaro) tell Jameson (Karissa Tyne) the reason she didn’t get picked is because she has short hair which makes her “look like you don’t have a vagina.” Meow!

Chet arranges for Madison to whisper in Chantal’s ear about Tiffany’s hook up with Romeo so Tiffany will have to explain herself to the other women. He later goes to Tiffany offering his assistance if she makes an introduction for him with her father.

Back in Not So Sweet Home Alabama, Beth Ann tells Darius and her family that she is pregnant just as her ex-boyfriend Brock (Zach McGowan) appears, ring in hand (thanks Rachel) and proposes. Beth Ann declines the marriage offer saying she loves Darius and is not sure who the father of her baby is. From the way Beth Ann looks at Darius, Brock believes he’s the baby daddy and is ready to fight.  But Beth Ann’s daddy is having none of this, pulling out his shotgun.

When Darius returns to the Everlasting house, Tiffany tells him what happened with Romeo in such a way that he appreciates her honesty.  So when it’s time for the elimination ceremony, Darius chooses Chantal, Yael and Jameson.  He tells Beth Ann that he values honesty.  Beth Ann interrupts, apologizing for lying. But Darius sends her home anyway but not before saying he’s putting money away in a college fund for her baby. “She was obnoxious, but that was really sad,” Yael says as Beth Ann walks away crying.

Coleman wants Rachel to go to the police, then HR about Jeremy.  But Rachel agrees with Quinn and Jeremy about keeping what happened quiet.

Dr. Wagerstein  tells Quinn that she is lonely because she’s spent so much of her life focusing on Everlasting.  She needs to see what happens with John Booth as it may be her last chance at love.

Coleman asks Rachel why he didn’t tell him about Jeremy attacking her. “Quinn says you’re my Chet.” “I don’t even know what that means,” says Coleman, who vows to take Rachel away from Everlasting at the end of the season, whether Quinn likes it or not. Seeing Coleman as her prince saving her from a doomed life, Rachel kisses him.

Meanwhile, a real prince pulls up in a car. It’s last year’s suitor Adam Cromwell (Freddie Storma) looking really hot with longer hair and a scuffy beard.  “Here we go again,” Adam says. Is this a new complication for Rachel?

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