GCB Episode 1.09 Adam & Eve's Rib

An eager Carlene awaits Ripp's reaction to her virtual presentation of her Condos for Christian Living. She's excited to announce that they won't have to build the condos in Mexico because she found a Native American reserve in Oklahoma where those pesky federal statutes won't get in the way. Ripp says he'll bring it up with co-owners Burl and Luke later on for their approval but right now he's got to focus on the barbeque charity competition, an annual event that Burl hosts. Carlene takes her role in this very seriously as well. Behind every great man, like Ripp, is a Godly woman, like herself. And as the "First Lady of Barbecue" she's committed to providing her husband, and his team, with all the love and support they need to secure their fifth consecutive win.

At church, the GCB's talk about the barbecue competition. Sharon can't be involved this year; she's too busy with her Losing it with Jesus meals. Cricket's out as well: she has a mare she's been trying to impregnate and has finally found a stud. The GCB's tell always single Heather she should go to the barbecue because there will be a bunch of men. Just then, a reporter walks over to Sharon, wanting to interview her about the meal plan alone, without Zack. This makes Zack feel invisible and not part of the company. Amanda overhears Ripp and Burl telling her daughter Laura that she can't compete in the barbecue because traditionally it's all men. As Carlene concludes her prayer for the barbecue team, Amanda gets up on stage and stops her. Amanda has decided to start an all women's barbecue team!

At home, a secretive Ripp talks to someone on the phone, mentions something about Mexico, when Carlene enters. She thinks he's upset because Amanda Vaughn is breaking tradition by signing up for the barbecue competition. Covering, he goes with it and Carlene tells Ripp she'll make sure that Amanda won't have a team.

Cricket meets with sexy Mason Massey, the rich owner of the stallion whose services she'd like to employ. Cricket tries to be professional and negotiate the stud fee but all Mason wants to do is flirt. A flustered Cricket inadvertently allows Mason to get the upper hand in the negotiations -- agreeing to a much higher price for the stallion's services.

Amanda arrives at church to find the women's barbecue team sign-up sheet empty. She's confused -- until she looks to the right and sees another sign- up sheet, full of names. Carlene is paying for a spa day for all the ladies of Hillside Park United Memorial on the same day as the barbecue! Amanda wishes Carlene would be supportive of girl power but Carlene wishes that Amanda stick to tradition and drop out of the men's only competition.

Heather waits at Boobylicious for Amanda, chatting it up with a cute guy, Danny whom everyone calls "Carlene's Surgeon." Heather realizes that he's Carlene's butcher! They call him a "surgeon" because of the amazing way he cuts meat. When Heather denies Danny her number, Amanda approaches and calls her out for being shallow. Heather says she's not shallow, it's that Danny isn't financially on her level, which would make things all sorts of awkward. In the past, when Heather dated a man who made less money than she does, he couldn't handle it. Something in the male ego always kicked in and ruined the relationship. She's just leaning on her own experience. Also, Heather refuses to be on Amanda's team leaving her with just Laura to barbecue...

Over at the Peachams', Sharon asks Zack why he put up a car from his dealership as a prize for winning the barbecue. Zack says that the winning team donates the prize to charity -- so it'll be good publicity for his dealership. She thinks this kind of a donation is a bad idea, when they are in such financial trouble -- her business is keeping them afloat but not enough to be giving away a luxury vehicle. Zack tells Sharon to stay out of his business and he'll do the same.

Luke arrives at Gigi's to find a frustrated Amanda attempting to make her first brisket. Amanda lifts the lid on her brisket -- she's burned it to a crisp. Luke immediately swoops in -- intent on fixing things. This sets Amanda off, angrily telling him the whole point is to show that women can barbecue just like the men. Luke, a bit hurt, says it's fine if she doesn't want his help. He's got to head to Austin on business for a few days, anyway. Amanda wonders if she's just made a big mistake by snapping at him.

Later, Gigi finds an upset Amanda. She can't cook. She blew up at Luke. And now Carlene's fixed it so she has no one on her team. Gigi says maybe she can help. She can't do much about Luke, but has barbecue is in her blood. Her daddy won every year when he was alive. The key is the smoke, that's the secret weapon.

Cricket is upset that the horses seem to not have chemistry unlike their owners. Suddenly, the horses seem to be finally getting along and Cricket and Mason burst out laughing. The absurdity of the situation opens the door for more intimate conversation. They end up bonding over the fact that they were both driven to succeed by tough, disapproving fathers. Mason brushes Cricket's hair out of her eyes and the chemistry suddenly becomes ignited. The moment is cut off by when Cricket's cell phone rings. It's her security team... Cricket has an intruder on her premises.

Amanda and Gigi have been tromping through the woods and come upon a stand of Pecan trees -- Amanda's daddy, Howard Stopper's secret to his winning streak. Amanda gets a call from Sharon. She's willing to join the ladies' barbecue team -- on one condition. If they win, she gets to keep the car Zack donated. No questions asked. Before Amanda can answer, there's a shotgun staring her and Gigi in the face held by Cricket. This is Cricket's land and trees! Amanda emotionally pleads her case. Cricket has a daughter. Can't she understand? Cricket can, her misogynistic father Daddybo loved this Pecan tree. She fires her gun, blowing a branch clean off and tells Amanda to take as much as she needs.

Ripp comes home to find Carlene's bought up all the high-end meat in town; it's the Lord's will if Amanda is meatless for the barbecue. She changes the subject -- while she's been busy ensuring Ripp's success, she was wondering if he's been working on hers -- moving the Condos for Christian Living to the U.S.? Ripp says he talked to Luke and Burl and they agree that the condos should stay in Mexico. Ripp voted against her idea, something that makes Carlene secretly furious.

Butcher Danny has found meat for Amanda's team on one condition: Heather has to pick it up. Heather begrudgingly meets Danny and he asks her out. Heather makes a case on why as a couple they won't work. Danny tells her that in this economic downturn that her real estate business is shakier than his. Heather finally agrees to go out with Danny. Heather calls Amanda: she's decided to be a part of the barbecue team!

Carlene spies across the street as Amanda, Heather, Sharon, Gigi, and Laura work together as a team, prepping the smoker and getting the meat ready. Carlene decides to sneak over to Gigi's and sabotage the women's team when no one is looking. A worn-out Amanda closes her brisket away in the refrigerator to cure overnight and leaves. Once Carlene gets through the doggie door, she makes her way towards the meat. When she her morals take over, Carlene decides to abort her mission. Suddenly, Gigi's Dobermans appear, growling. Carlene makes a mad dash, cramming herself into the safety of a closet... only to see through a crack that she left the refrigerator open, causing the dogs to eat the meat! Amanda finds the chewed up meat, feeling utterly defeated. All of her hard work was for nothing. This contest wasn't just about proving something to Laura -- it was about proving something to herself. She's not the strong person she wants to be. If she were, she would have stood up to Bill years ago. These words land with Carlene and she comes out of the closet and into a hug with mom and daughter! Carlene confesses that she was angry with Ripp and took it out on Amanda. Carlene has extra meat and will give it to Amanda on one condition: Carlene gets to join the women's team! Amanda agrees to this as the women get to work.

The ladies enter the barbecue competition with confidence. Zack is shocked to see Sharon with the other gals! Sharon tries to explain that she is doing this to get the car back but Zack won't hear it. Zack's feels like less of a man because his wife is fixing all their problems. Later, a drunk Heckler harasses Sharon. After Zack gets his first punch in, the guy punches out Zack and in turn Sharon punches out the Heckler! A wealthy man walks over to Sharon and Zack, complimenting Zack on how he stuck up for his wife. He's also impressed by the fact that Zack donated a car for the event. He'd like to buy a fleet of luxury vehicles for his VPs from Zack!

At the judging, Burl announces that the all-ladies team is the winner! Amanda is thrilled she was able to teach her daughter that she can accomplish anything she wants. Ripp approaches Carlene, surprised she went behind his back and joined the women's team. Carlene explains that she was mad at him for voting against her plan. And since it's always been her project, she's made a decision: Carlene is now CEO and the condos will stay in America, no negotiation. Ripp admits to Carlene the real reason he wanted the condos in Mexico: The Lord told him. Carlene can't argue with God and agrees to keep the condos in unincorporated Juarez.

Later, Cricket's surprised by Mason at her office. He's here to tell her that he's single, and is very interested in her. Cricket tells Mason she loves her husband. Mason then surprises her with a kiss! And damn, it's a good one. He walks away, leaving Cricket breathless, possibly wanting more.

Amanda calls Luke with the good news that the ladies won. She apologizes for blowing up at him earlier in the week. Another call beeps through on Luke's line -- he's gotta go. Amanda hangs up, a big smile on her face. Luke answers brother-in-law Ripp's call. Luke tells Ripp that he found "her" in Juarez, just like Ripp thought. Luke was lying to Amanda where he was! What else could Luke and Ripp be hiding?