Gomora: Gladys wants a picture-perfect setup for Teddy

Gomora screens have been filled with mama drama for a while now but these highlights (or should we say, lowlights) from the past week are the cyanide cherry on top of the hit Mzansi telenovela.

If you’ve missed any of the maternal misadventures (and other drama on Gomora), the good news is that you can find all the episode from the first to the latest on Showmax. New episodes land on weekdays, 24 hours after they air on Mzansi Magic.

A broken mom

Episode 38 starts with one of the most heartbreaking scenes so far – and there have been many. We all know that Zodwa (Sana Mchunu) is troubled. She is a savage alcoholic.

There’s nothing she can’t and won’t do for her next mouthful of beer. But lately she’s been trying to sober up and hold down a job. She’s also trying to show her son, Teddy, that she’s willing to give up her vices to have him live with her again.

Zodwa’s plea

During their interaction, seeing the tears streaming down Zodwa’s face is an emotional overload. When Teddy turns to her and asks what’s wrong, you can hear it in her voice, she wants her son to stay forever with her. “It’s nothing, my son. You’re so kind-hearted. Teddy, please don’t leave today.”

We know Zodwa has been wanting Teddy to stay with her for weeks, ever since she asked Teddy’s foster parents if he could return to her again. And then the emotional blackmail starts as Zodwa says, “I don’t feel strong enough. I’m too weak. If you leave, I’ll end up at the shebeen with my friends.”

Sisters at loggerheads

Crime lord Mam’Sonto has been arrested and it looks like she might just rot in jail for good. She’s a baddie, so that’s not the worst that could happen. After all, the police need to clean up these Gomora streets infested with criminals.

There is a downside, though, which plays out in Episode 39. Thathi is the one who’s making sure that her mother is locked up for good. And the potential prison time doesn’t sit well with Thathi’s sister Pretty.

With the sisters both working at Mam’Sonto’s shisanyama, they’re bound to bump into each other and clash. Pretty still can’t believe that Thathi is the reason why their mother is behind bars. While on the other hand, Thati couldn’t care less.

She believes her mother is the mastermind behind her husband’s death and that she needs to pay for her sin.

While Pretty is protective of their mom and begs Thathi to reconsider pressing charges, the fury and wrath etched on Thathi’s face shows that she’s not changing her mind anytime soon.

When Pretty says, “Mama doesn’t deserve to be in jail,” she’s met with a sharp “I didn’t put her there, she committed the crime,” from Thathi.

Everything Pretty says only serves to rile up Thathi more, until she snaps, and coldly says, “crime doesn’t pay – she (Mam’Sonto) must face the consequences,” and storms off.

Zodwa vs Gladys

It’s no secret that Gladys doesn’t like Zodwa. She’s formed such a close bond with Teddy that she believes that no mother but her is fit to parent Teddy.

At the dinner table with her husband, Melusi, and their son, Ntokozo, she expresses how concerned she is about Teddy since he’s gone to live with his mother.

“I’ve been thinking about [Teddy], wondering if he has eaten, if Zodwa has made food for him. I know he’s going to come back here starving,” says Gladys.

Glady is already jumping to conclusions about Zodwa’s ability to stay sober and provide for her son. “Teddy will come back. Zodwa won’t last. I know Zodwa and her patterns,” says Gladys.

Melusi and Ntokozo cannot believe what they’re hearing.

“Yes, you know patterns, but you can’t wish she relapses again,” says a bewildered Melusi. In that moment, the Dlamini men realise that their wife and mother is far more cruel than she lets on.

Gladys snaps back, “Don’t say I didn’t tell you. Zodwa will be drinking again within the week, picking up where she left off.” Her comment cuts the discussion short and the family go their separate ways.

Although the women are now trying to make amends for Teddy’s sake, there is still a long way to go for the two mothers.

Catch up on all new episodes of Gomora on Showmax, streaming every weekday!