‘The Valley’s Jax Taylor Has Never Been Scarier Than Right Now
We’re only two episodes into Bravo’s The Valley, and it’s already clear this spin-off isn’t playing by the usual Bravo rule book. Sure, there’s the classic cocktail-fueled drama, relationship chaos, and messy friend group dynamics. But at the center of it all, we’re watching something far more serious unfold — the complete spiral of longtime Bravo villain Jax Taylor. And it’s darker than anything we’ve seen before.
Jax, who rose to infamy as the resident bad boy of Vanderpump Rules, has always been known for his hot temper and self-sabotaging behavior. But The Valley has taken his “bad boy” reputation to terrifying new lows. This is no longer about cheating scandals or petty arguments — this is a man unraveling in real time, and the consequences are hitting closer to home than ever before.
The show opens with Jax and his estranged wife Brittany Cartwright already separated, navigating the tricky (and highly emotional) terrain of co-parenting their young son, Cruz. While there’s clearly care still lingering between them, there’s also a storm of resentment, pain, and mistrust. Both Jax and Brittany seem unsure if reconciliation is even possible. And watching their interactions, it’s no wonder.
Jax Taylor Is in Freefall on ‘The Valley’ — and It’s Darker Than Ever Before
Within only a few episodes, viewers have witnessed a string of truly alarming confessions and behaviors from Jax. The most shocking? His casual admission that, in a fit of rage, he flipped a table — one that reportedly landed on Brittany while their toddler son was just in the next room. It’s not the type of story anyone should be telling with a shrug. But Jax, never one for self-awareness, seems more focused on how Brittany has “hurt him” than the consequences of his own outbursts.
And violence isn’t the only issue. During a heart-wrenching scene, Brittany accuses Jax of doing cocaine. Jax doesn’t deny it. In fact, he confirms it. When she asks if he’d pass a drug test at that moment, his silence is deafening. It’s a stunning moment of raw vulnerability for Brittany, who is clearly trying to set boundaries not just for her own wellbeing, but to protect their son. And it’s a damning moment for Jax, who shows little remorse and even less urgency in getting help.
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To their credit, nearly everyone in Jax’s circle — Brittany, Kristen Doute, Danny Booko, Jesse Lally, Jason Caperna, even Jax’s own sister — is sounding the alarm. They’ve each told him, plainly and firmly, that he needs help. Real help. Not a vague “mental health facility” that Jax references when asked what his next steps are, but something far more structured and serious. This isn’t just about anger issues or relationship drama anymore. It’s about addiction. Mental health. And the well-being of a child who’s caught in the crossfire.
And yet, Jax remains steadfast in his victimhood. In classic Jax fashion, he spins the narrative so that he is the one who’s been wronged — lamenting Brittany’s connection with one of their friends while conveniently ignoring the fact that he’s brought random women home to their shared house. The hypocrisy would be laughable if the circumstances weren’t so heartbreaking.
It’s clear we’re watching a man in the throes of a true rock bottom. And for longtime Bravo fans who’ve followed Jax’s antics for over a decade, this feels like a final reckoning. He’s always been explosive, self-centered, and emotionally immature. But now the stakes are real. There’s a child involved. And Jax can no longer hide behind the chaos of reality TV antics. This is life. And it’s messy. And it’s dangerous.
The ‘Bad Boy’ Facade Is Done — This Is the Real Jax Taylor
What makes this moment on The Valley so compelling — and so tragic — is that, for the first time, the people around Jax aren’t just brushing it off. Brittany isn’t backing down. She’s no longer the ride-or-die wife. She’s the mom who’s drawing a line in the sand. No unsupervised visits. No more excuses. She’s done protecting him from consequences, and she’s putting Cruz first.
Jax needs rehab. Full stop. And he needs accountability, not airtime. Whether or not he takes the help being offered remains to be seen, but the fact that The Valley is choosing to show this unfiltered descent feels like a turning point — both for the show and for Bravo itself. While fans do know he does in fact check himself into a “mental health facility” and later reveals an addiction to cocaine spanning nearly 20 years, it’s unclear whether there has been any real change on Jax’s part.
This isn’t just the latest drama for fan gossip. It’s a cautionary tale unfolding in real time. And as uncomfortable as it is to watch, it might just be the wake-up call Jax needs. If not for himself, then at least for the sake of his son.
The Valley is on Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
