Ron and Kim: Did They or Didn't They On A Different World?

Were Ron and Kim intimate?

In Season 5 of the NBC sitcom *A Different World*, Ron Johnson (Darryl Bell) actively pursued Kim Reese (Charnelle Brown) from episode 1. As they spent more time together, Kim seemed to be keeping him at arm's length each time he spoke of sleeping together.

Kim's behavior contrasted with her love life in Season 2 when she was intimate with Robert (Brian Wesley Thomas). The two kept Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) locked out of her dorm room many times so they could be alone. In one episode, Kim thought she was pregnant.

It's possible Kim was guarding her heart because she once said she didn't want to be a stop on Ron Johnson's tour of booty. They had gone out to dinner, and three of Ron's ex-girlfriends were there.

When Season 6 began, Ron announced that he had been frequently faithful, so Kim had a right to be concerned. When Ron stayed with Kim and Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer) for a few nights, she made it clear he would sleep on the couch.

Shazza and Dwayne weigh in

When Kim argued with Shaza Zulu (Gary Dourdan), who was sleeping with Freddie, he told her she might feel better if she invited her guest into her bedroom. He later said to her, "I hope you get some soon."

When Ron and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) were discussing their love lives, on the eve of Whitley's wedding (Season 5), Dwayne pointed out that his friend "wasn't getting any."

Ron did not contradict Shaza or Dwayne, which seemed to indicate they were correct, but what if they weren't? It's entirely plausible that Kim and Ron were intimate at least once but chose to keep it private.

ADW couples' sex lives were not advertised

*ADW* deliberately chose not to highlight the moments when Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer) lost her virginity to Shaza or detail the first time Whitley and Dwayne were together.

There were never episodes where it was obvious that Jaleesa Vinson(Dawnn Lewis) and Walter Oakes (Sinbad) were sleeping with each other. Their scenes together were mostly comedic, and at times the relationship seemed platonic. The issue was not discussed, but fans probably assumed that as adults they were intimate.

Did Kim's attitude and Dwayne and Shaza's jokes prove the couple never did it? What if something significant happened between Ron and Kim that was not explicitly mentioned but may have been hidden in plain sight?

While it seems there was no intimate relationship between them, various hints in two specific episodes suggest a deeper connection that merits further exploration.

Did Kim make a booty call stop?

In Season 5, Episode 23 of A Different World, titled "Save the Best for Last Part 1": Whitley sends Kim from her Richmond home back to Hillman College for a pair of pearl earrings.

While on campus, Kim stops by Ron's apartment. They begin a passionate kiss with soft romantic music playing. The audience responds, and the scene seems to suggest that they will take their relationship to the next level.

When Kim is back in Richmond, Whitley asks what took so long. She responds, "I took the scenic route." Freddie asks, "What scenic route"? Kim smiles and answers, "The one I'll tell you about later."

Was Kim hinting that she and Ron went all the way, or did they perhaps make out a little? What was it that took so long that she was going to share later with Freddie? In Season 6, Episode 6, Don't Count Your Chickens Before They're Axed" perhaps we have an answer.

Did Ron tell us they did it?

Near the end of this episode, Ron and Kim are kissing in the dorm room she shares with Freddie. They stop, and Kim admits that something has been keeping them from getting together ever since they had dinner with Freddie and Shazaar. (The night of the argument).

Did she mean getting together for the first time or getting together again? In the previous episode (Season 6, number 5), they came close when Kim told Ron, "The doctor will see you now."

They were about to go to the bedroom until Spencer Boyer (Michael Ralph) interrupted by knocking on the door. This came across as another missed opportunity, but in the next episode they have an interesting encounter.

At the end of Episode 6, after kissing on the couch, the couple mutually agree the relationship is not working. As Ron exits the room, he asks a question. "Kim, are we still the kind of friends who get busy?" to which she expressed shock by saying, "Oh, Ron".

The wording "Are we still" in this context implies that he wants continuation as if they had already been making love. Of course, some may interpret this as Ron wondering if, even though they broke up, they might eventually get busy one day.

This discourse and the implications on the night of the bridal shower are not proof positive that anything happened between Kim and Ron, but it makes a compelling argument that it may have. A Different World fans, please share your thoughts on this subject below.