Tyler Perry’s House of Payne | Did The Paynes Even TRY To Make Laura Feel Like Part of The Family?

Okay, folks—House of Payne Season 14 is right around the corner, and people are still talking about the Season 13 finale. It’s wild because I posted my review video just two days after the episode aired, and it’s already close to hitting 10,000 views! That’s insane. And get this—I still have a bunch of discussion videos about Laura and Ella that I haven’t even uploaded yet.

The reason I’ve been holding back is simple: I’m trying to spread things out to keep channel retention high. This hiatus between seasons is pretty long, especially since I’ve moved some content over to my backup channel, Beyond the Gates. That channel’s doing great in terms of retention, so I’ve been trying to be more strategic—no more dropping 50 videos at once and then having nothing to post for weeks.

Now, let’s talk about what I said in my review. I really feel like Calvin got a raw deal. CJ and especially his dad came down hard on him over Laura’s behavior—as if her actions were his fault. And to some extent, I agree with Calvin. Laura was the one who came in with an attitude. Sure, she came to talk with Ella, but then she came at Miranda and stirred up tension. The family defended Miranda, and when Laura got disrespectful to Miss Ella in her own home, things naturally escalated.

But here’s the thing—it’s not just about Calvin. This is really about Laura. I don’t think there’s ever been a real effort to integrate her into the family. The first time I remember her being included in a family event was that game night episode from a few seasons ago. Ironically, Miranda—who wasn’t even invited—showed up unannounced to see Ella, saw the game night happening, and decided to invite herself. She made it super awkward for Laura by reminiscing about old times with Calvin, basically using charades to throw in all those shared memories.

By the end of that episode, Laura apologized—for doing too much—when honestly, Miranda was the one who should’ve been called out. That episode annoyed me, and it was just one of many instances where Laura wasn’t given a fair chance.

Yes, there have been small moments where Laura tried to bond—like helping Curtis with the food truck. And remember the cinnamon rolls episode for Christian’s wedding tasting? Laura was upset because Ella wasn’t teaching her how to make them, and it’s like… well, did you ask her? That moment showed a deeper issue: Laura wants to be part of the family but expects everyone to drop everything to accommodate her without putting in the effort to build a relationship.

Her parents even told her—marrying Calvin means dealing with his baggage. That includes his kids and his ex-wife. She can’t expect Calvin’s parents, especially Ella, to treat her like a top priority when they still have deep-rooted ties to Miranda through Christian. That’s not going to change.

Honestly, it feels like Laura thought Calvin would be an absentee dad—one who wouldn’t be close to his kids or have solid relationships with his exes. But no, he’s close with Miranda, and he and Tracy have a decent understanding. Laura needs to realize that if she wants to be part of this family, she has to actually spend time with them. Calvin only met her parents a season ago! And Laura? She’s usually offscreen—busy with work or out with friends planning the wedding. So, when exactly did she try to get to know Calvin’s family?

This might sound like a generalization, but I’ve seen this trend a lot lately: people spend more time and energy planning weddings than they do building a marriage. It’s all about the likes, the clicks, the big show. But what happens when the honeymoon ends? Are you and your spouse truly compatible? Are you ready for that real life?

And look, I get it—fans were never going to fully embrace Laura. They’ve always wanted Calvin and Miranda to get back together. But I also blame the writing. Tyler Perry wrote the first season, but after that, other writers took over, and I think they dropped the ball. Laura’s character could have been fleshed out so much better. Something simple like a shopping trip with Ella or bonding moments would’ve gone a long way. We’ve seen more of Miranda and Ella hanging out—grocery shopping, helping at events—than Laura and Ella ever did.

Laura’s screen time is mostly used to make her an obstacle between Calvin and Miranda. The rare sweet moments between her and Calvin are overshadowed by constant conflict. And when she does appear with Aunt Ella, it’s only as a mediator in yet another Laura vs. Miranda showdown.

Some fans side with Laura, and I see why. She came in hot, yes—but did the family really make an effort to know her? Sure, there were moments—like Laura working out with Lisa—but they were few and far between.

Still, I can’t excuse how she came into that house, totally disrespectful. People pointed out that she twisted Ella’s words, too. Ella didn’t say, “Get your narrow ass out of my house.” She said, “Get your narrow butt out of here and come back when you learn some respect.” And she was right to say it.

Now Laura’s calling her mom, and this wedding? Yeah, I don’t see it happening. She’s disrespected the whole family. There’s really no coming back from that. She’s made it worse by bringing in her mother to “fix” things. It’s a mess.

So what do you think? Should Calvin have done a better job of integrating Laura into the family? I think so. He was the one who proposed. He should’ve helped ease her into the family dynamic before everything blew up.

And Laura? Instead of trying to erase Miranda, she should’ve found her own place in the family. You can’t just take someone else’s spot. You have to earn your own.

Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s talk about it.