Raising Asia Recap Episodes 10 & 11: United Until the End?

This week’s Raising Asia starts right where last raising asiaweek left off — at the Pride Fest in Long Beach. Shawn once again has to warn someone on Asia’s team that they may not be on the team for much longer. This time he threatens Anthony for the stunt he pulled with Billy’s music. Shawn made it clear that he didn’t want Anthony messing with the music yet Anthony couldn’t help himself. Shawn also makes it clear that he knows what direction he wants his daughter to move in and it’s not the same direction Anthony’s thinking.

Another performance opportunity comes along for Asia and this time it’s for the famous choreographer Ricky Palomino (remember Ricky Valentino Palomino, Abby’s Ultimate fans?). Man it sure seems like this poor kid never catches a break — each week she’s performing at least one event, if not more. However, this role is a little different from most of her others, She’ll take on a more contemporary-style dance while acting and staying in character. Of course it’d be perfect if someone important was in the audience watching.

Even though this is a critical performance for Asia, Shawn still wants to switch roles with Kristie. So Shawn plays Dad-ager and takes Asia to her first rehearsal. Looks like he has some practicing to do for this job, since he forgot to bring some extra clothes for Asia to practice in. Whoops.

Kristie has the pleasure of taking little Bella to gymnastics practice. Bella explains that she isn’t like big sis Asia, who doesn’t mind getting pushed around. She’s the more sensitive sister. So when the instructor continues to yell at and correct Bella she can’t help but cry. Bella wants her daddy’s comfort but Kristie does a fine job of helping her feel better. Nice effort, Kristie.

Back at rehearsals for the Palomino performance, Shawn is starting to wish he would’ve picked a different week to switch roles. Kristie calls to see how things are going and raising Asiagives Shawn an earful once she hears Asia isn’t practicing in her costume. Since it’s Palomino’s idea for not allowing this, Shawn wisely hands over the phone. Ricky then gives Shawn a few pointers to remind Asia about while practicing.

I used to be in dance classes for a number of years when I was younger but I couldn’t understand a word he was saying. It’s no wonder that he admits to almost forgetting everything once he walked out the door.

To refocus his mind and ease Asia’s stress, Shawn takes her go-karting. It looks like the two had a lot of fun and were actually bonding, for once. Nothing about dance was interrupting them. It was just a good way to relieve stress and nerves before heading into the performance. Even I wanted to join them.

Billy decides he should have a talk with Anthony — for whatever reason — and, instead of talking, insults him instead. Anthony gets upset when Billy calls him “just” a choreographer and someone who is only in charge of coming up with the steps. But the truth finally comes out once Billy admits that he doesn’t like that Anthony is younger than him and that’s one of the real reasons he doesn’t like Anthony to have any control in Asia’s performances. I see that big green monster over your shoulder, Billy! In the end it comes down to Billy offering Anthony a spot working with him on Asia’s performances.

The day of the performance, Shawn wants to be the only one backstage. Kristie surprisingly allows him and leaves him alone to handle Asia. Looks like strike two for Shawn when Asia starts snacking on some Goldfish crackers. He gets upset with her and sees himself turning into Kristie. In the end, Asia pulls off an amazing performance — like usual. It’s a good thing, too, because if she would’ve flopped, it would’ve been poor Shawn’s head on the line.

In the next episode, “Three Men and a Maybe,” Asia learns the news that Billy has booked her a spot at R&B legend El raising asiaDe Barge’s birthday party. Asia doesn’t exactly know who El De Barge is but since everyone else is making a big deal out of it, she’s in.

The only problem is that Billy needs to come up with a new song and there’s a huge crunch on time. But his new partner, Anthony, will be helping him with this event, so there may be some hope for success.

Shawn has a meeting with Anthony about what has been going on recently with his role on Asia’s team. Once again, they don’t seem to come to a conclusion as to what exactly Anthony is considered. I think this entire season has focused too much on the battle between Billy and Anthony, and Asia has been in the background too often. Either way, Anthony comes out of this little meeting happy because he gets some authority in this week’s performance — Shawn tells him that he’ll let him decide whether or not Asia is ultimately ready to perform at the birthday party. This is a huge deal for Anthony — and it should be concerning for Billy.

Or not. No need to fear, Billy, because Shawn has your back. Asia only has one day to learn the song and choreography once Anthony comes up with a routine. After hearing the song, Billy asks for Anthony’s approval. Shockingly, he likes it! OMG! Can we please cherish this moment? Billy and Anthony actually agree on something!

The victory is short-lived of course ,because Shawn gets to hear raising asiathe preview and he’s not sold on it. He feels like it isn’t Asia. He takes Anthony’s authority away and pulls the plug on the performance himself.

Asia shows up with Kristie for rehearsal — for what, I’m not exactly sure since they canceled the birthday party performance — and Anthony is still confused and upset about Shawn’s decision. He talks with Shawn on the phone, explaining that he should really reconsider his decision, but Shawn doesn’t want to hear it.

Just like that, Anthony flips!

He starts dropping the F-Bomb on Shawn in front of Asia and Kristie, wondering why he’s wasting his time showing up for a rehearsal that amounts to nothing. I would be upset if I were you, too, Anthony, but no need to drop the bomb like that in front of everyone you work for. Especially Asia. Needless to say, this outburst doesn’t go over well with Kristie.raising asia

She decides to flip out, too, and storms out of the rehearsal room, threatening to leave the studio. All the staff members for the show chase her down, asking for her to come back, but she doesn’t want anyone to think that someone can disrespect her family like that.

She sticks her finger out and starts pointing it in people’s faces like it’s her job! I’m so glad I wasn’t there to see that in person, because I’m pretty sure I’d be shaking with fear.

Billy hears the news about the big blow-up and decides to play peacemaker by bringing everyone together to talk. Shawn explains how he won’t allow Anthony to pull something like that ever again and you can see how upset Anthony is. It looks like he’s been crying when he apologizes for his actions and he sincerely seems to meant it. I think he just had a lot of emotions bottled up inside and they boiled over all at once.

Shawn makes the comment that he wants everyone to work together to get through the Universal City Walk event but after that he’s not sure how strong their bond will be after this.

Next week on Raising Asia, Asia will be performing her songs live and it looks like her nerves have finally gotten to her. Family drama between the Rays and Kristie’s sister seem to arise as the cameras are called away with tears running down everyone’s face.

The Raising Asia Season 1 finale Raising Asia premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10/9CT on Lifetime.