Tag: Jennifer Armstrong

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On this episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Heather invites the girls (yes, even Katie…in the “spirit of inclusivity”) to her fundraising event with Family Equality in Sonoma.  Heather felt it was important to extend the invite to Alexis, as well, because this cause supports her children, too.  Even though things are out of hand between Alexis and Shannon, Heather is hopeful that the ladies can control themselves.  But when Shannon finds out about *the* video Johnny J. has of her on the night of the DUI, things go downhill…

We get a glimpse into Heather’s back and forth lifestyle.  She is paying a lot of money in tolls, now that she is splitting her time between LA and the OC; however, she is doing it for her kids.  The faster speed of LA and the clean slate gives them the opportunity to thrive, which is important to Heather and Terry, who want to protect their kids as they find their own paths.  Heather is looking forward to her upcoming fundraising event with Family Equality for LGBTQ+ families and is having the women walk in a fashion show to support the organization.

Before the trip, Jenn calls Katie to explain she will be meeting them all in Sonoma after her temporary child support and alimony court date, which has finally arrived.  After all this time, Jenn is still feeling overwhelmed, but Katie understands where Jenn is coming from. Katie reminds us that when she left her then-husband, she had nothing.  Katie wishes she could be there to support Jenn in court, but alas, Heather’s private plane to Sonoma is calling!

You better believe Fancy Pants has a seating chart on said plane (mainly to keep herself away from Katie, and to separate Alexis and Shannon). BTW, Alexis has yet to say hello to Shannon. Shannon is reeling from the recent photos of John and Alexis at their “red carpet debut” and shares, under her breath, that she bought John the Ferragamo shoes he is wearing in the pictures.  OF COURSE Tamra yells this out to Alexis, juuuust to stir the pot and OF COURSE Heather scoffs at the cost of the shoes that were on sale for only about $375-$475, “not bad.” This is a reminder that Tamra is no one’s friend and that Heather is rich.

Once they touch down in Sonoma, Alexis wonders if she should talk to Shannon, but worries she might make things worse between them.  Gina questions if Alexis really wants to be Shannon’s “executioner,” particularly when it comes to this ticking time bomb video.

The women check into their glamping houses and I cannot imagine what they would be like if they really had to huff it in the wilderness. After coming to terms with their quarters, they split up for lunch. Gina wonders why Shannon would feel like she needs to drink, especially if she has a sober buddy to team up with.  There is only one reason Shannon would order a cocktail: Alexis. 

Over lunch, Shannon’s group chuckles about Alexis and John’s “red carpet debut.”  This is blowing Shannon’s mind, considering John claimed she ruined his life for being too public.  What is with John? We all know one thing he DOES want: money.  I mean, he is suing Shannon, she offered an amount, but it’s not good enough, thus leading us to believe this lawsuit isn’t about the money.  And why DOES he need this sum from Shannon? To buy Alexis her engagement ring??

Shannon knows this a power move by John, who clearly wants to ruin her reputation. Shannon tells Emily, Gina, and Katie that she offered to pay about half the amount he asked for, but this whole thing feels like extortion.

In the meantime, Alexis is just happy to be included in Heather’s event, since this subject is near and dear to her heart with her children.  She wants everything to be put to rest within the group, yet continues to bring up all the drama between Shannon and John…

Heather brings Tamra and Alexis to one of the wineries that she has teamed up with for a champagne collab.  Family Equality asked her to do this, and so came up with four different sparkling wines “loosely” based on each of her children. Before tasting the wines, the women hear some great news.  Florida was sued for the Don’t Say Gay Laws and with the help of Family Equality, the law has been changed, which is a huge change for families everywhere.  

Jenn meets up with the group after her court case and she shares that it did not go how she thought it would.  For one, her ex doesn’t even look at her and for another thing, she gets a measly $6,000 a month for five kids.  This isn’t a lot of money, but we all know Jenn ain’t planning on getting another job…

This crew then brings up the picture circulating of Shannon, solo, at a bar with a short glass.  They conclude Shannon went to the bar after spiraling once seeing the newest public pictures of Johnny J. and Alexis.

In the meantime, Emily, Katie, Gina, and Shannon head to the spa. They work with a perfumer (Emily wants taco perfume) and we learn that Gina has a new dog, because why not try to fill up the void of Travis moving out? Gina explains that her remodeling their old place is a trigger for Travis, but for now, leaving separately feels good.

Shannon has to excuse herself when her lawyer calls and we learn that John did not accept her offer.  Shocker. Sure hope Shannon still has those crystals in her teeth.  She’s gonna need all the help she can get with this lawsuit. It all seems very vindictive and the ladies wonder how they can all go to dinner with Alexis.

This whole weekend is about inclusivity and Heather shares how she invited Katie “in the spirit of inclusion.” Tamra is hell bent that Gina set Katie up with the paparazzi photos and because of this, Heather continues her strictly cordial relationship with Katie.  The same cannot be said for Alexis and Shannon’s relationship, or lack thereof.  According to Alexis, even after she asked Johnny to settle with Shannon, he refuses, since she “smeared his name.”

Emily suggests that Shannon simply pay John what he wants, and messy Gina enters the chat when she agrees, citing the “video thing…” the video thing that everyone promised not to bring up to Shannon.  Gina seems like she knows exactly what she did, but Katie is the one to fill a shocked Shannon in about the Ring footage of Shannon almost running John’s daughter over.  Allegedly. 

Shannon tearfully calls John a monster and she leaves to go call her lawyer to discuss the possible extortion of this video. The timing of everything is too much, considering Shannon is hanging by a thread. Later, Shannon thanks Gina and shares that she is just going to pay John whatever he wants to end it all. While talking to Katie, Emily explains that she feels comfortable enough to pull Alexis aside and talk to her about her “path of vengeance” to destroy Shannon.

Post afternoon excursions, the ladies get ready for dinner…well everyone except Shannon, who is still in her bathrobe.  She pays a visit to Heather and despite not wanting to put a damper on Heather’s trip, fills her in on what she learned earlier.  Shannon shakes when she tells Heather she knows about the video John has of her and promises that she was the one who paid for most things during the first half of their relationship.  Shannon knows the truth and knows that John is not a good guy.

According to Shannon, on the night of her DUI, she hit the planter kitty corner to John’s house and woke up in the hospital.  A friend asked her how many seconds did the accident happen after she backed out of John’s driveway and Shannon remembers it being a short amount of time, which makes you wonder why John didn’t come running to check on her.  Shannon goes on to tell Heather that she sent a picture of herself to John post accident and when he finally texted her back, he ignored the picture and played dumb, wondering where she was (despite the bloodied face she sent earlier).

Heather is appalled by this and states, “if that’s true, that’s f*cked.”  Perhaps Johnny J. really IS the monster Shannon claims he is? To be continued…

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS EPISODE OF RHOC?

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The good news is, if you like games with hard to follow directions and Teddi Mellencamp, then this episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County is for you!  The even better news is that Alexis isn’t on the episode, thus protecting Shannon one more day from having a mental breakdown.  It doesn’t help that Tamra, Emily, and Heather have decided to keep Shannon in the dark about the alleged videos that Alexis claims to have of Shannon the night of her DUI.  Because these videos could “ruin” Shannon, the real traitors have chosen to withhold telling her about them cuz that’s what friends are for…not.

Tamra is hosting a competition party as a nod to her *short* time on The Traitors.  She has decided to invite Shannon and Vicki, but understands she cannot have Alexis attend. Alexis and John are threatening to expose the videos from the night of Shannon’s DUI, but Shannon is in the dark about this.  Tamra, Emily, and Heather intend to keep it that way since things are too volatile right now. Odd that Heather is going along with this plan, considering she was so hurt when the paparazzi rumors were withheld from her…and this scenario is about something legit damaging!

Shannon has purchased a new BMW since her DUI, but has yet to drive it…since she needs to get a breathalyzer installed into her car. She wants this breathalyzer installed as a reminder of her “stupid choice;” however, she cannot master the hum and blow technique necessary. Shannon realizes that since getting this DUI, her world has not been the same.  Her product sales for Real for Real have declined and we are seeing a very vulnerable Shannon.

Katie and Jenn have a yoga session together. Katie explains that over a week ago after Big Bear, she sent Heather a text, yet she still has not received a response from her.  Katie can’t believe that paparazzi gate is still a thing and refuses to kiss Heather’s a*s like Gina. 

Katie then goes on to open up about her first marriage. She shared that she left him a “bunch of times” and that when she did finally leave, she was left with nothing.  Katie explains that her now husband, Matt, has really taken on the father role for her daughter Kaili, so much so that Kaili is actually in the process of changing her last name to Ginella. Jenn feels very connected with Katie in this moment.

Why we are getting a scene of Shane spray-tanning Emily is beside me, but here we are.  Post tan, Emily takes a moment to discuss Shane’s health. She then switches gears and asks Shane if he considers her a mean person.  Emily realizes that Gina pointed out her aggressive behavior and now she is more aware of her actions.  She goes on to say that Jenn’s personality type triggers her since Jenn reminds her of her mother. Emily understands that this is not Jenn’s fault, but more so a bigger issue she needs to work on, since now she can lose the wall she created around herself as a child because she had to.

Katie and Tamra think that their daughters should meet considering they have a lot in common.  For instance, they both have issues with their biological fathers.  Tamra’s daughter Sophia does not have a good relationship with her dad and Kaili hasn’t had contact with hers since she was 9. Kaili is overwhelmed with emotion thinking about changing her last name and she is ready to file that paperwork so she can close that chapter of her life.

The Scottish murder mystery theme for this Traitors party really has the ladies questioning what the heck to wear. But not Vicki, always in business casual.  Work never stops for Victoria, even when Shannon bemoans her current relationship status with Tamra to her.  Vicki shoots off some texts and brushes off Shannon’s venting.  After all, how will we all get insurance if Vicki isn’t working?!

Tamra is excited for the ladies to experience the Traitors-like game. They all line up and wait for the host of the show to arrive, who happens to be a blast from the past, Teddi. Teddi starts by throwing shade right away: “Welcome Housewives…and Vicki,” which is quite rude and sets Vicki off.

Teddi explains that she will pick the traitor after the women get blindfolded and that the entire game centers around finding out who the traitor is.  The women fill out some surveys and they realize pretty quickly that this is a mean game full of superlatives that will likely end in a fight.

A dramatic scene ensues where the Traitor is chosen and the women contemplate who amongst them is the bad guy.  Katie and Heather have a private conversation and “in the spirit of inclusivity,” Heather invites Katie to her event in Sonoma, despite their issues.  Katie apologizes to Heather for being “nosey” with her friend and so long as Heather lets Katie finish a sentence, things could be looking up for them.

In the meantime, Emily find Jenn to clear the air between them.  Emily takes full responsibility for picking on Jenn, but Jenn wonders why Emily feels like she is above her and equates money to success.  Emily claims she would never judge someone based on what they have because she grew up with nothing. She blames her childhood for her aggressive behavior and Jenn lets Emily know that she wants to be more like her since she is someone she looks up to.

The (ex) Tres Amigas find themselves at a table together.  Tamra talks about her falling out with Shannon due to her drinking and states that she has gotten tighter with Alexis.  Shannon makes it clear she wants nothing to do with Alexis and gets upset talking about the lawsuit.  Her attorney made a settlement offer, but Tamra advises Shannon that she should just try to clear John’s name. 

Tamra is doing her best to guide Shannon and to protect her from getting these videos (that Shannon doesn’t know about, but everyone else does) released.  Tamra expects us to feel bad for her since she is “stuck in the middle,” but she put herself there.  After spiraling, the Tres Amigas hug it out and decide to rekindle their friendship. Again.

But in the meantime, no one can figure out how to handle this potentially destructive information considering “these videos will ruin her life.”  They just decide to sweep it under the rug for now.

Teddi separates the ladies into groups and they answer the superlatives.  When asked who the biggest traitor is, the groups unanimously choose Tamra, who prefers to refer to herself as a truth teller. Unfortunately, Tamra is the first to get knocked out of the game (even though the Traitor really picked Vicki #rigged) and the next round, Shannon is booted, creating confusion within the group.  Finally, Vicki is out, which means the Tres Amigas are all dead.  Symbolic?

As the ladies move onto the next phase of the game, Teddi pushes Tamra into the pool, but as pointed out by one eagle-eyed viewer, Tamra was holding her nose, thus making it appear that was a planned push. When Heather wraps Tamra up in a towel, Tamra cries out, “I want you to warm me, Shannon,” which is a far cry from calling Shannon a drunk.

In the end it seems fitting that Heather is the Traitor, since according to many in the group, she is an amazing liar.  The ladies commend her for being a good actress and Heather wins the game.  Emily suggest that Heather add it to her IMDB and so long as things are kept light, what could go wrong?

TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THIS EPISODE OF RHOC?