Queer Eye (2018) Season 4 Episode 7 Soldier Returns Home

In season 4 episode 7 of Queer Eye titled "Soldier Returns Home," the Fab Five are back again to sprinkle some love and create more magic.

The episode starts with the team receiving a message from a woman named Jennifer. Jennifer is the sister-in-law of Rob Elrick, who has been deployed overseas for the past year as a reservist. His duty as a soldier has taken a toll on him, and he is struggling to adapt to civilian life now that he has returned. Jennifer reveals that Rob has lost confidence in himself and has distanced himself from his family and friends.

The Fab Five are excited and nervous to meet Rob as they want to help him re-discover his self-worth and rebuild his relationships. As they arrive in Kansas City, Rob's family greets them with open arms. The team is taken aback by the family's support and love for Rob, which gives them even more motivation to help him.

The first member of the Fab Five to work with Rob is Jonathan Van Ness; he focuses on Rob's hair and beard. Jonathan is amused by Rob's thick beard, but he soon learns that it's his safety net. Rob says that he has always felt more secure with a beard. Jonathan thus gradually introduces him to a new hairstyle and trims his beard. Rob is initially resistant, but as he sees himself in the mirror, he begins to embrace the change.

Next, Antoni Porowski works on Rob's diet. Antoni discovers that Rob doesn't cook nor does he know how to cook anything that is not from jars or cans. Therefore, Antoni takes him to a local grocery store and shows him how to prepare a tasty lasagna from scratch. Antoni opens up about his own life and speaks of his struggles to accept himself as a gay man, telling Rob that to be accepted, one must first accept himself.

Karamo Brown's task is to mend and strengthen Rob's relationships with his friends and family, which have been damaged due to the deployment. Karamo takes Rob on a fishing trip to create bonding time with his brother and grandfather. As they bond and fish, Karamo reminds Rob of the positive attributes his brother had praised him for before his deployment. Rob clarifies that he never felt worthy of those compliments. Karamo helps Rob understand that only he defines his worth and that no situation, including his deployment, should rob him of it.

Tan France helps Rob with his fashion sense. Rob has been wearing the same clothes for years, and his wardrobe shows the effects of his routine. Tan takes Rob shopping and shows him fashionable styles available. Rob is initially hesitant to make a change, but Tan shows him the importance of clothes and how they make one feel. Tan tells him that he should dress for himself, not for anyone else.

Lastly, Bobby Berk works on Rob's living space. Rob's apartment is cluttered, and his décor is from another era. Bobby gets to work, clearing out and upgrading the place with modern furniture, new colors, and artwork. Bobby designs the space to reflect Rob's personality rather than reflecting his past.

As the week progresses, Rob's self-esteem starts to lift, and he becomes more confident in himself. He is especially grateful to the Fab Five for their help in his transformation. The team hosts a dinner party, and Rob amazes his family and friends with his style, his new food choices, and his positive attitude.

The episode ends with Rob thanking the Fab Five for their assistance in re-discovering himself and bringing him back to his family and friends. It's another emotional victory for Queer Eye in this season that is sure to inspire and motivate viewers.