Tyler Perry’s Divorced Sistas | Season 1 Episode 1 Review: The Pretty Lady
“Divorce Sisters” Episode 1 Review: Fast-Paced Drama With a Missing Piece
The long-anticipated “Divorce Sisters” finally premiered on BET following the BET Awards, and while some viewers may have caught the shortened 19-minute version aired live, the full 44-minute episode on BET+ delivered a richer experience. According to the reviewer, watching the episode on the streaming platform was definitely the better choice.
Right out of the gate, Episode 1 moves quickly, offering the kind of tight, energetic pacing that many fans have long wished for in Tyler Perry’s TV shows. However, this fast pace came with some drawbacks, particularly awkward dramatic pauses and drawn-out scenes that made parts of the episode feel artificially long. For instance, scenes at the nail salon and the emotional therapy session between Rashida and a younger character dragged due to those slow exchanges.
Despite this, the pilot earns a solid 7 out of 10 rating from the reviewer, who praises the natural dialogue and the smart way the show introduces character backstories and relationship dynamics. Still, two major critiques emerged:
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No theme song.
For a Tyler Perry series, this felt like a big omission. Fans remember the catchy theme songs from shows like Sistas, Ruthless, and Assisted Living, and were hoping for the same here—especially with LaToya Luckett headlining. The absence of a musical opener felt like a letdown for viewers who grew up with iconic intros and expected that same mood-setter here. -
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Excessive pacing issues.
While the first episode was solid overall, the reviewer hopes not every episode will be slowed down by unnecessary pauses and prolonged silences. These moments risk undercutting the fast pace established in the show’s opening minutes.
That said, the show did a great job establishing the core trio—Geneva, Tiffany, and Naomi. Viewers are introduced to them during a school pickup scene, and we quickly learn:
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Geneva is a law firm partner and seemingly has it all together with her husband William and daughter Imani.
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Tiffany is a work-focused divorcée who hasn’t dated in three years.
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Naomi, the so-called black sheep of the group, went through a tough divorce and walked away with 50% of her ex’s assets.
Despite not being related by blood, the friendship among the women is portrayed as deep and long-lasting—over 20 years. The chemistry feels believable, and the show offers just enough exposition to lay the groundwork without overwhelming the audience.
The reviewer gives Geneva’s character extra praise, comparing her favorably to Andy from “Sistas”. In just one episode, Geneva comes across as more capable, confident, and competent—especially in her handling of a divorce case involving Naomi. The fact that Geneva is already doing detective work and going to bat for her clients reflects Tyler Perry’s growth in writing complex, empowered female leads.
The episode is titled “The Pretty Lady”, a nice touch instead of the usual “Pilot” label. It hints at deeper character development to come.
As the season is only eight episodes long, the reviewer is hopeful that the story will “hit the ground running” by episode three or four, as hinted in earlier interviews with Perry.
The episode kicks off with a domestic scene as Sarah, presumably the housekeeper or nanny, prepares food for Anika. Anika settles down to eat while her mother, Geneva, shares a quiet but revealing moment with Tiffany. Geneva expresses her suspicions about her husband William, but Tiffany urges her not to jump to conclusions based solely on what Anika observed. Tiffany points out that both she and Naomi have experienced divorces—Tiffany’s ex, John, cheated—but she believes William isn’t that kind of man. Before heading off to get her nails done, Geneva makes Tiffany promise not to tell the other women about what Anika saw. Tiffany agrees, technically keeping the promise—but not for long.
At the nail salon, Tiffany and Bridget, who seem to play the “Sabrina and Danni” roles of this friendship circle (as opposed to “Andy and Karen” types like Geneva and Rashida), swap gossip. Bridget shares rumors about Rashida’s husband Jeff and a tense scene at church. Tiffany casually mentions that Naomi suspects Jeff is hiding something—possibly even his sexuality—but leaves it vague. The conversation shifts to Rashida working on a mysterious book, which Bridget got a sneak peek of. It seems the pastor’s wife might be writing her own tell-all.
Tiffany then spills her own tea: Anika saw her dad hugging—and kissing—a mysterious woman, something she later mimicked with her dolls. This detail drives home the suspicion for Tiffany and Bridget, who both fear how Geneva might react. Tiffany points out that while Naomi may be loud and dramatic, Geneva is quietly ruthless—and William may not know who he’s messing with.
Meanwhile, Geneva goes full detective mode. After repeatedly calling Miss Rose, Anika’s teacher, she finally connects with her to request a playdate with a girl named Maddie—actually a cover for digging into who Maddie’s parents are. Miss Rose refuses to provide personal information due to policy, but invites Geneva to a parent-teacher conference that evening.
Not one to wait, Geneva heads to the school early and uses a made-up story about a missing teddy bear to gain entry. She flirts her way into the building with the help of an elderly janitor and ends up getting valuable info: Maddie’s parents are the Hudsons. The dad is a successful salesman, while the mom is often seen in yoga pants, rushing off to class. As Geneva leaves, she notices the yoga pants say “Agoya” — yoga spelled backward, likely the name of a studio or brand. She immediately connects the dots, realizing this could be where the mysterious woman William was seen with is from. All signs point to Geneva preparing to confront the truth—on her own terms.
In another dramatic storyline, Rashida meets with a troubled 19-year-old girl who’s been calling her repeatedly. The girl is hesitant at first but eventually breaks down and confesses: she’s been sleeping with Rashida’s husband. The heartbreak is palpable—and it’s a devastating blow for Rashida, especially considering her status as a counselor and spiritual guide.
Finally, we circle back to Naomi, who—despite being angry at her ex for moving on—isn’t exactly sitting at home alone. She calls over an escort named Hakeem for a little… comfort. Despite her fiery words, Naomi is clearly still hurting and looking for a way to cope.
