Tyler Perry’s House of Payne | Season 13 Episode 13 Review: If It Ain’t Broke

This episode opens strong with a tense yet impactful scene between Calvin, Miranda, Junior, and the police, which definitely sets the tone for the rest of the episode. The follow-up was solid, especially with the way the story played out. However, I feel like the main issue here is Calvin’s refusal to confront the truth. He’s clearly struggling with his feelings for Miranda while still engaged to Laura, and the longer he keeps this hidden, the more it’s going to hurt not just him, but everyone around him. It’s becoming more clear that Calvin needs to come clean—he can’t keep living this lie, and the longer he delays, the worse it will get.

Speaking of which, I’m starting to think this is something that won’t get addressed immediately. If there are still 9 episodes left in the season (assuming a 22-episode arc), this might not be resolved until later. But for Calvin’s sake, I hope he finds the courage to be honest with both himself and those around him soon. It’s clear that his actions are affecting not just his relationship with Laura and Miranda, but also his relationship with Junior, who is caught in the middle of it all.

Now, for the B-plot, we see CJ and Janine working together on building an entertainment center. It’s great to see their relationship progress through counseling, and they seem to be using some healthy communication techniques, like the “I feel” method, to work through their issues. But while this storyline is cute, there’s a lot of tension between them, especially when CJ doesn’t trust Janine’s judgment and vice versa. This leads to some push-and-pull moments that highlight their ongoing struggles.

Jasmine really shines in this episode, though. She’s becoming a bit of a referee for her parents, and it’s great to see her taking on that role. The idea of the “get in the shirt” technique—where Janine and CJ would have to physically get into a shirt together if they couldn’t get along—was a hilarious and clever touch. It was funny how the entertainment center, despite having a ton of leftover screws and bolts, was still a fun project for them. Of course, it falls apart eventually, but the effort and their cooperation were nice to see.

The A-plot, focusing on Calvin and Junior’s conflict, really delivers the emotional punch. I loved how the episode picked up right where the last one left off, instead of doing a time skip. This is rare for House of Payne, and it makes the storyline feel more immediate and connected. The tension with Junior is building, and Calvin’s inability to address the core issue—his fractured relationships—becomes more glaring. Miranda steps in as the voice of reason, and it’s great to see her take control in the situation, ensuring the police leave without escalating things further.

The moment when Calvin hugs Miranda after she intervenes reminded me of a similar scene from Sisters, where Andy rushes to Robin for support. The chemistry between Calvin and Miranda is undeniable, and it’s clear that they still care for each other. But Calvin’s refusal to address his feelings and the underlying tension with Laura is only going to hurt him in the long run.

Junior’s emotional struggle adds another layer to this. His request to go back to his mom’s house, because he doesn’t want to cause more trouble for his dad, is heartbreaking. It’s clear that Calvin’s behavior is pushing his son away, and while Calvin’s reassurances are well-intentioned, they don’t seem to be enough to fix the underlying issues. Junior’s not just acting out; he’s noticing the cracks in Calvin’s life. He can see that something is off, and he’s trying to find a way to cope.

It was also nice to see Curtis and Ella step in, showing their support for Junior. Their arrival adds a sense of grounding to the episode, but the tension between Calvin and Laura remains unresolved. Calvin needs to have a real conversation with Laura and confront the situation head-on. It’s becoming clear that Junior is being affected by his father’s inability to be honest.

Final Thoughts: This was a solid episode, with strong performances all around. The tension between Calvin and Junior, combined with the comedic moments between CJ and Janine, made for an engaging watch. That said, the longer Calvin drags out the inevitable conversation about his feelings for Miranda and his relationship with Laura, the more damaging it will be. I’m hoping that, before the season ends, we get to see some resolution or at least a step forward in Calvin’s journey to self-awareness.