Lipstick Jungle

Series Finale:     
Episode 20 — La Vie En Pose
Nico gets into her office to start her day. She plays her messages to find one from Kirby, who has called from Aspen to wish her a Happy New Year. At Victory’s, her parents arrive in New York via private jet that Joe arranged for them. Her parents insist on staying at her house, rather than accepting Joe’s offer to stay at the Four Seasons.

Griffin greets Nico in her office to hand her a document from the legal department acknowledging a romantic relationship between them. Nico, taken aback by the document, isn’t sure how to respond, creating a bit of tension between her and Griffin.

Wendy, struggling with Maddie, looks to Shane for some advice before he leaves on tour. She is also preparing to throw Joe and Victory’s engagement party. Back at Victory’s, she is showing her parents photos from her store opening, but her parents are critical at every turn.

Sal fills Wendy in on a story that Nico is working on and suggests that Wendy look at buying the film rights. After all, he owes her one. In Nico’s office, during a staff meeting, she realizes she may have fallen off the press’ list of top invites to parties.

Joe and Victory’s parents are trying to find common ground in conversation, but instead, there are several awkward silences. Victory’s mom is sharing some of her wedding ideas, when Victory lets her know that Joe might be more into an intimate ceremony than a traditional wedding.

As Joe leaves for a meeting, he sets plans to take them to a fancy dinner and a helicopter ride, but they are resistant. Plus, Victory is concerned with Joe’s spending, considering his financial situation.

Griffin pops by Nico’s office to see if she’s finished the letter for the legal department. He also wants to know why she tipped off Wendy to a film property she knew he wanted to buy for Parador. Nico, caught off guard, is disappointed in Griffin’s approach.

Nico meets with Dahlia about her image. She is worried that due to personal reasons, she was out of the spotlight for a few months. Dahlia, a fast worker, gets her booked in the 10am hour of the Today Show for the next morning.

Victory confides in Wendy about the difficulties with her parents in town and Joe’s grand style, considering his financial restraints. Later, Joe takes Victory and her parents to a private showing of the latest exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum. After an awkward conversation about Joe and Victory having kids, they all walk in silence.

Maddie comes in past her curfew and Wendy is furious. When she tells Wendy that she was in Paul’s dorm room downtown, Wendy grounds her.

Nico makes a late-night visit to Wendy to discuss Griffin and find out who tipped her off to the possible film rights. Wendy, not shocked at Nico’s confession about getting involved with Griffin, is supportive of her friend regardless of the fact that he fired Wendy from Parador.

Kirby pays a visit to Victory’s store to show her the new ad for her linen collection. While there, Victory gets a call from Dahlia to turn on the Today Show. Kirby stands by and watches Nico’s interview.

During Nico’s Today Show interview, things veer from the Bonfire article to questions about her relationship with Kirby. During the questioning, Nico stands up for her relationship and makes an impact on Kirby, who is watching from Victory’s store. Griffin, also watching, is unsettled.

At Joe and Victory’s engagement party, Nico confronts Dahlia about her Today Show interview, but Griffin shows up and interrupts. Victory talks to her father about his toast at the party — he’s told her he won’t be doing one. Griffin approaches Wendy to thank her for the invite and she uses it as an opportunity to set the record straight on the film project.

Joe wants to help Wendy bankroll an offer to counter a studio, but Wendy lets it slip that she knows about his money troubles. In the kitchen, Victory talks to her dad about his reservations regarding Joe. She reminds him of his own parents’ reaction to his marriage to her mom, a young Korean girl at the time, and that Victory was seven before meeting her grandparents.

Wendy and Nico give speeches to the happily engaged couples. During the speech, Wendy notices Maddie walk into the party drunk and grab a glass of champagne. After the speech, she quietly walks to the back, grabs her daughter and leaves. Griffin approaches Nico and excuses himself from the party.

Wendy tries to hail a cab to get her and Maddie home. Maddie, upset, tells Wendy it’s all her fault that Shane left and isn’t coming back. That he left on tour to get away from her. Wendy tries to tell her that they aren’t splitting up, but Maddie gets sick and throws up in a trash can.

Victory and Joe decide on wedding plans. Kirby pays Nico a visit which opens up the possibility of something new. Wendy and Maddie come to a truce and find comfort in their relationship.
First aired: January 9, 2009.